New Delhi: In a major step to curb ticket touts and ensure genuine passengers get priority, Indian Railways has revised the rules for online train ticket bookings on the IRCTC website. These changes are being implemented in phases, with the first phase taking effect on 29 December 2025. Further modifications will follow in the coming weeks.
Priority Booking Window for Aadhaar-Verified Users
From 29 December, only passengers with Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts can book train tickets between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM—a four-hour window—on the first day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP). Passengers whose accounts are not linked with Aadhaar will be able to book tickets after 12:00 PM. The ARP opens 60 days prior to the journey date.
Phase Two: Extended Hours
Starting 5 January 2026, the priority booking window for Aadhaar-verified users will be extended to 8 hours, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Non-Aadhaar users will then be able to book tickets only after 4:00 PM on the first day of ARP.
Phase Three: Maximum Access
From 12 January 2026, the priority window will further expand, allowing Aadhaar-verified users to book tickets from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight)—a full 16 hours on the first day of ticket availability.
Reason Behind the Change
Railway authorities state that this move will benefit genuine passengers, especially those seeking to book tickets on the first day of the ARP. Aadhaar authentication ensures that only verified users can access early booking, reducing black marketing and fraud.
Counter Booking Unaffected
It is important to note that these changes only apply to online bookings. Booking tickets at computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters will continue as before, with no changes to the existing process.
How to Link Aadhaar to IRCTC Account
Passengers who have not yet linked their IRCTC accounts with Aadhaar are advised to do so as soon as possible. This can be done easily through the IRCTC website or mobile app. Navigate to the ‘My Profile’ section, enter your Aadhaar number, and complete the verification. The process takes only a few minutes.
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