Railway Ticket Booking Rule Change: Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory on IRCTC from October 1

The Indian Railways has announced a major change in its ticket booking rules, effective October 1, 2025. The Ministry of Railways has issued a notification making Aadhaar authentication mandatory during the first 15 minutes of general reservation ticket bookings on the IRCTC website and mobile app.

This move aims to curb fraudulent bookings and ensure that genuine passengers get a fair chance to secure tickets.

What Will Change from October 1?

• Aadhaar verification will be compulsory during the first 15 minutes of online general reservation ticket bookings.

• The rule applies only to online bookings via IRCTC’s website and app.

• There will be no changes at computerized PRS counters, where ticket booking will continue as usual.

• Authorized railway agents will still face the 10-minute restriction on booking reservation tickets, as per existing rules.

Earlier Changes in Tatkal Ticket Booking

This is not the first time the Railways has tightened booking regulations. From July 1, 2025, Aadhaar verification was made mandatory for Tatkal ticket bookings. Under that rule, Tatkal tickets can only be booked through the IRCTC platform after Aadhaar authentication. Agents were also barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window.

Why the New Rule Matters

According to the Railway Ministry, introducing Aadhaar-based verification in both general and Tatkal bookings will:

• Improve transparency in ticketing

• Reduce the number of fake and fraudulent bookings

• Give genuine passengers a better chance of securing tickets during the crucial early booking window

The Bigger Picture

With railway ticket demand often exceeding supply, especially during peak travel seasons, fraudulent practices such as automated bulk bookings have long troubled passengers. By mandating Aadhaar authentication, the Railways aims to create a fairer and more secure booking system while discouraging misuse of the IRCTC platform.

The new rule marks another step toward digital transparency and passenger convenience in India’s railway ticketing system.