Railways: Train tickets can now be booked quickly from home; the railway's 8-hour rule is in effect..
The new railway ticket booking rules have come into effect today, allowing for quick train ticket bookings from home. These train tickets can now be booked anytime, anywhere using a mobile phone, preventing touts from taking advantage. According to the new IRCTC rules, from January 5th, only users who have linked their Aadhaar card to their ID will be able to book tickets between 8 AM and 4 PM. However, this rule will only apply on the first day of the 60-day booking window for any given train. Advance ticket booking for a train starts 60 days before the journey date. Indian Railways IRCTC has implemented this rule in three phases. The first phase started on December 29th, the second phase on January 5th, and the third phase will begin on January 12th.
From December 29th, only Aadhaar-linked users can book tickets between 8 AM and 12 PM.
From January 5th, ticket booking will be available from 8 AM to 4 PM (8 hours).
From January 12th, only such users will be able to book online tickets from 8 AM to 12 PM.
Complaints of manipulation in online tickets
The objective of this IRCTC rule is to give common people more opportunities for online ticket booking. Often, touts and those involved in the business of booking tickets on a large scale book advance tickets, while needy common people are unable to get tickets. Whether it's Holi, Diwali, or any other festival, online tickets show as fully booked within minutes of the 60-day booking window opening. The railways had been receiving complaints about this for a long time.
The new railway rule is only for reservation ticket bookings under the general quota. It will curb ticket touting and those using software to book tickets rapidly. It will be easier for every rail passenger to book their ticket in advance for a specific date, festival, wedding, etc. Agents will not be able to book tickets for the first eight hours on the first day of booking. Only ordinary rail passengers will be able to benefit from this.
1. How to book train tickets with Aadhaar
The passenger's IRCTC account must be linked to their Aadhaar card to book train tickets. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number during train ticket booking. The train ticket can only be booked after entering the OTP.
2. How to book tickets without Aadhaar linking
If your IRCTC login is not linked to Aadhaar, link it immediately, or if you don't have an ID, create a new one. If your Aadhaar is not linked, you will not be able to book tickets for the first eight hours after booking opens, which is 60 days in advance.
3. How to book tickets at the counter
Even if you book tickets at a railway station or an external counter, an OTP will be sent, and the ticket will be booked only after entering it. In this case, the passenger's mobile number must be linked to Aadhaar for the ticket booking to be successful. Even if a family member or someone else is booking the ticket, an OTP will still be required.
How to link your IRCTC user ID with Aadhaar?
Log in to the IRCTC app and website.
Go to the My Profile section.
Select the Aadhaar KYC option.
Then enter your mobile number and other details.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from NDTV India. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
