Ticketing Reimagined: Aadhaar Now Mandatory For IRCTC Online Bookings From October 1

In a major shift aimed at curbing misuse and streamlining access to railway reservations, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced that Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for booking general reserved tickets online starting October 1, 2025. The new rule applies to the first 15 minutes of the reservation window each day, a period traditionally dominated by high demand and rapid ticketing activity.

 

The move is part of a broader digital governance initiative by the Ministry of Railways to ensure that genuine passengers benefit from the reservation system while reducing the influence of unauthorized agents and fraudulent bookings. The Aadhaar mandate follows similar restrictions introduced earlier for Tatkal bookings and is expected to enhance transparency and fairness in ticket allocation.

 

Key Highlights From The IRCTC Circular

 

- Aadhaar authentication required for booking general reserved tickets online during the first 15 minutes of daily reservation opening  

- Applies to bookings made via IRCTC website and mobile app only  

- No change in booking timings at computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters  

- Existing 10-minute restriction for authorized ticketing agents remains unchanged  

- CRIS and IRCTC instructed to update systems and notify zonal railways  

- Public awareness campaign to be launched across digital and offline channels  

 

Rationale Behind The New Mandate

 

The Ministry of Railways has cited persistent misuse of the reservation system by unscrupulous agents and bots as the primary reason for the Aadhaar-linked booking requirement. By restricting early access to authenticated users, the government aims to:

 

- Ensure equitable access to reserved tickets for genuine passengers  

- Prevent bulk bookings and resale by unauthorized agents  

- Improve system efficiency and reduce booking failures  

- Strengthen identity verification and reduce fraudulent transactions  

 

The Aadhaar-based authentication will act as a digital gatekeeper, allowing only verified users to access the reservation system during the critical early minutes of booking.

 

How To Link Aadhaar With Your IRCTC Account

 

To comply with the new mandate, users must link their Aadhaar number to their IRCTC account before October 1. The process is simple and can be completed in a few steps:

 

1. Log in to your IRCTC account via the official website or mobile app  

2. Navigate to the ‘My Account’ section and select ‘Authenticate User’  

3. Enter your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID  

4. Verify that your name, date of birth, and gender match your Aadhaar details  

5. Click on ‘Verify details and receive OTP’ to get a one-time password on your registered mobile number  

6. Enter the OTP and accept the consent terms  

7. Submit the form to complete the authentication process  

 

Once successfully linked, a green tick will appear next to the ‘Authenticate User’ option in your account dashboard, confirming Aadhaar verification.

 

Impact On Booking Experience And User Access

 

The Aadhaar mandate is expected to streamline the booking process by reducing system overload and ensuring that early access is granted only to verified users. While the restriction applies only to the first 15 minutes of the reservation window, it covers a critical period when most high-demand routes and dates are booked.

 

After the initial 15-minute window, regular users and authorized agents will be allowed to book tickets as per existing norms. The PRS counters will continue to operate without Aadhaar restrictions, maintaining accessibility for passengers without digital access.

 

Forward Outlook And System Updates

 

IRCTC and CRIS have been directed to implement necessary system modifications and coordinate with zonal railways to ensure smooth rollout. The Ministry has also confirmed that a nationwide awareness campaign will be launched to educate users about the new rules and assist with Aadhaar linking.

 

Officials believe the move will pave the way for more secure, efficient, and inclusive digital ticketing systems in the future, potentially extending Aadhaar authentication to other services such as concessions, loyalty programs, and travel insurance.

 

Sources: Indian Express, Moneycontrol, Economic Times