From October 1, Indian Railways brings new rule for online reservations

Indian Railways has announced a significant change to the process of booking reserved tickets online. Beginning October 1, 2025, passengers booking general reserved tickets in the first 15 minutes after the booking window opens on the IRCTC website or mobile app will be required to undergo Aadhaar authentication. The step aims to curb misuse of the reservation system and provide genuine travellers with fair access to tickets.

Officials clarified that ticket booking at physical railway counters will not be affected, and the current rule barring authorised agents from booking tickets in the first 10 minutes of opening-day reservations will remain in place. To enable the change, the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been directed to update their platforms, while Zonal Railways will issue detailed instructions to ensure smooth implementation.

The introduction of Aadhaar verification during the initial booking window is expected to bring greater transparency and prevent unfair practices that often disadvantage regular passengers. Without Aadhaar authentication, travellers will not be able to book tickets in this crucial 15-minute slot.

For those who prefer booking at PRS counters, the procedure stays unchanged. The new rule applies only to online reservations made through IRCTC’s digital platforms.

Authorised agents will also continue to face the restriction that prevents them from accessing tickets in the first 10 minutes of booking, ensuring individual passengers have the first opportunity to secure seats.

Both CRIS and IRCTC are currently working on the required technical updates ahead of the October rollout, while Zonal Railways have been instructed to create awareness among passengers and ensure compliance with the revised booking rules.