Archive · 4 Jan 2026
IRCTC Extends Booking Time for Aadhaar Users
Indian Railways is changing the ticket booking time for people who use Aadhaar to book train tickets.
Starting January 5, 2026, these users can book tickets from 8 AM to 4 PM on the first day of the booking window.
Before, they could only book from 8 AM to 12 PM.
This change is to make sure that real passengers get the benefits and to stop people from misusing the system.
The rules for making the reservation charts are also changing.
For trains leaving between 5:01 AM and 2 PM, the first chart will be ready by 8 PM the day before.
For other trains, the chart will be ready at least 10 hours before departure.
This doesn't change how you book tickets at the counters.
IRCTC extends Aadhaar-authenticated booking window to 16:00 hrs from 12:00 hrs starting January 5, 2026.
Change aims to prevent misuse and ensure benefits for genuine passengers.
Chart preparation time adjusted based on train departure times.
No changes to ticket booking procedure at PRS counters.
Previous extension on December 29, 2025, expanded booking window to 12:00 hrs.
- Who
- IRCTC and Indian Railways
- What
- Extended ticket booking time for Aadhaar-authenticated users
- When
- Effective from January 5, 2026
- Where
- Indian Railways reservation system
- Why
- To prevent misuse by touts and ensure benefits reach genuine passengers
- Effective Date
- January 5, 2026
- New Booking Window
- 08:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs
- Previous Booking Window
- 08:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs
- Chart Preparation for 05:01-14:00 Departures
- By 20:00 hrs previous day
- Chart Preparation for 14:01-23:59 & 00:00-05:00 Departures
- At least 10 hours in advance