New Delhi: Indian Railways has introduced a major change in the online ticket booking system. Starting October 1, 2025, the new Aadhaar ticket booking rule will come into effect. Under this rule, only Aadhaar-verified users will be allowed to book train tickets online during the first 15 minutes after reservations open.
The step aims to curb misuse, stop ticket black marketing, and bring transparency to the ticketing process.
What is the New Aadhaar Ticket Booking Rule on Reservation?
From October 1, whenever reservation opens for any train, the first 15 minutes will be reserved exclusively for passengers whose IRCTC accounts are linked with Aadhaar.
This means only Aadhaar verified accounts on the IRCTC website and mobile app will be able to book tickets during this crucial time window. The Aadhaar ticket booking rule is expected to reduce large scale misuse of the booking system by touts and fake IDs.
Why has Indian Railways introduced the new rule?
Millions of passengers attempt to book train tickets online every day. However, many genuine travelers face difficulties because agents and touts use illegal software to book tickets faster than normal users.
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The new Aadhaar ticket booking rule is designed to:
- Increase transparency in the booking process
- Reduce large scale ticket blocking by touts
- Improve the chances of confirmed tickets for genuine passengers
Changes on IRCTC website and mobile app
The Aadhaar ticket booking rule will be applicable across both platforms:
1. IRCTC Website Login – For the first 15 minutes of ticket sales, only Aadhaar-verified users can book tickets.
2. IRCTC Mobile App – The same restriction will apply on the official app.
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What passengers need to do
To ensure hassle free booking after October 1, passengers must:
- Link their IRCTC account with Aadhaar
- Complete the KYC verification process
- Use the Aadhaar linked account to get early access in the first 15 minute
Without Aadhaar verification, users will need to wait until the initial booking window closes.
Passenger Reactions
The announcement has received mixed reactions. Some passengers welcomed the Aadhaar ticket booking rule, stating that it will bring transparency and fairness to the system. Others expressed concerns that technical issues or lack of Aadhaar linking could create difficulties for common users.
