IRCTC’s New Ticket Booking Rules from October 1, 2025
If you book train tickets online regularly, there’s something new coming your way. From October 1, 2025, IRCTC will require passengers to link their Aadhaar to their accounts to book general reserved tickets during the first 15 minutes of the reservation window.
The step was taken to curb the booking of train tickets by non-passengers who used to book it for resale. The idea is to make the system fairer, stop misuse by bots or agents, and make sure real passengers get a fair shot. This rule will apply for ticket booking on both the website as well as application.
Only Verified Accounts in the First 15 Minutes
Here’s the deal: for the first 15 minutes after tickets go live, only passengers with Aadhaar-linked accounts can book online. Don’t worry if your account isn’t verified yet—you’ll still be able to book after this short window. This rule is mainly to stop bots or bulk bookings from taking all the available seats.
Think about it: during peak travel season, getting a ticket can feel like a race. Seats used to vanish in seconds because of mass bookings. Now, verified users get the first chance, which makes it a bit easier to actually get a ticket.
Offline Booking? No Changes
If you like booking tickets at the station, nothing changes. PRS counters will operate just as before. You can go to the counter, pay, and get your ticket—no Aadhaar required. For passengers who find apps and websites tricky, this consistency is a welcome relief.
RailMitra platform provides a range of services to the passengers which can enhance their train journey. You can use this platform to check services like PNR Status, Train Schedule, Live train running status, Train Seat Availability and much more.
Authorised Agents Still Have Rules
Agents who book on behalf of others also need to follow rules. They cannot book general tickets during the first 10 minutes of ticket release. This way, regular passengers get priority and a fair shot at seats before agents make bulk bookings.
Aadhaar Verification Already Needed for Tatkal
Aadhaar verification isn’t entirely new. Since July 1, 2025, it has been required for Tatkal tickets. Later, from July 15, IRCTC also added OTP verification for tickets booked through PRS counters or by agents. Agents must also follow fixed booking slots for Tatkal tickets:
Tatkal bookings for agents now follow set timings. Recently Railways also changed the timings of Tatkal ticket booking. Instead of all the bookings opening at 10AM, IRCTC has bifurcated the timings of AC Class booking at 10:00 AM and Non AC bookings from 11:00 AM.
Linking Aadhaar Made Easy
Linking your Aadhaar takes just a few minutes. Just log in, head to My Account, and tap Authenticate User. Just enter your Aadhar Number and an OTP will be sent to your registered phone number for verification. Enter that OTP and your Aadhar has been verified.
Why This Matters for Passengers
- Fair Access: Passengers who have linked Aadhaar get the first shot at tickets when the window opens.
- Security: OTP and Aadhaar checks keep your account safer from misuse.
- Transparency: Bulk bookings by bots and agents are harder to pull off.
- Offline Option: For those who prefer counters, nothing changes—PRS booking works just as before.
Most of the passengers have already verified their Aadhar with their IRCTC account. If you haven’t already, it is high time that you do so. Once your Aadhar is linked to your IRCTC account, booking train tickets and grabbing last minute seats becomes much easier. Especially with the new changes brought out by the Indian Railways.