Aadhaar Mandatory For First 15 Minutes Of Online Train Ticket Booking from October
Sep 15 From October 1, the Railway Ministry will allow only Aadhaar-authenticated users to book reserved general tickets through the IRCTC website or app during the first 15 minutes after booking opens for any train.
- Date & Time:
- |
- Views: 42
- |
- From: India News Bull
This restriction was previously limited to Tatkal ticket bookings. (Representational)
New Delhi:
Starting October 1, the Railway Ministry will implement a new policy requiring Aadhaar authentication for users booking reserved general tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile application during the initial 15 minutes after bookings open. This regulation, which previously applied only to Tatkal bookings, is now being extended to general reservations.
"To ensure reservation system benefits reach genuine users and prevent misuse by unauthorized entities, it has been decided that effective from 1.10.2025, during the first 15 minutes of general reservation opening, reserved general tickets via IRCTC website/app will be available only to Aadhaar authenticated users," stated a ministry circular released on Monday.
According to ministry officials, authorized ticket agents will be permitted to make online reservations after the initial 15-minute period has elapsed.
"No changes will be made to the timing for booking general reserved tickets through Indian Railways' computerized PRS counters," the circular clarified.
The document further stated, "The existing 10-minute restriction preventing authorized ticketing agents of Indian Railways from booking opening day reserved tickets remains unchanged." Officials explained that this 10-minute restriction for agents booking general reservations from counters was already in place.
"The circular maintains this restriction," an official confirmed.
The ministry directive noted, "CRIS and IRCTC shall implement necessary system modifications accordingly and inform all zonal railways as well as this office." "Previously, we issued a circular implementing a 15-minute restriction for Tatkal bookings. Seeing the positive results from that policy, we've decided to apply this measure to general reservation bookings as well," explained a ministry official.
"For instance, if a train is scheduled to depart at 10 am on October 1, and reservations become available today at 10 am, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be permitted to book general reservations during the first 15 minutes.
"Previously, this restriction was limited to Tatkal bookings, which become available at 10 am for AC classes and 11 am for non-AC classes, one day before the train's departure," the official elaborated.