New Rule Effective October 1 for Online General Ticket Bookings
From 1 October 2025, Indian Railways will require that online general reserved ticket bookings via the IRCTC website or app be done only by users who are Aadhaar-authenticated during the first 15 minutes after the reservation window opens for any train.
What Remains Unchanged
- Booking at PRS counters will continue with current timings and procedures; no change there.
- The existing restriction preventing authorised agents from booking on behalf of others during the first minutes of reservation opening will remain.
Why This Change? Intent & Benefits
The move aims to curb misuse of the booking system (by bots, scalpers, or unauthorised agents) and ensure that genuine passengers have fair access to train tickets when the reservation window first opens. Aadhaar authentication helps confirm identity and reduce fraud.
Implementation & Passenger Action Steps
- Users should make sure their IRCTC account is linked to Aadhaar and authentication is complete before 1 October.
- Reservation opening times for various trains will stay the same (e.g., 60 days before departure).
- After the first 15 minutes, booking will open to all online users (authenticated or not), as per usual rules.
What This Means for Travellers
Travellers who often book immediately when reservations open will now need to ensure Aadhaar linkage in advance. Those who are not Aadhaar-authenticated may experience delays in booking during that initial 15-minute window. But overall, this should improve fairness and reduce ticket hoarding.
More on Railway & Ticketing Updates
For further updates on IRCTC rules, railway booking policies, and travel advisories in Gujarat and India, check our news section.
