Archive · 17 Sep 2025
IRCTC Introduces Aadhaar Authentication for Online Ticket Bookings
Starting October 1, 2025, if you book general train tickets online via IRCTC, you'll need Aadhaar authentication in the first 15 minutes.
This aims to prevent bots and middlemen from quickly snatching up tickets, ensuring real passengers have a fair chance, especially during peak travel times like Diwali or Chhath.
After 15 minutes, booking opens up for everyone.
This change doesn't affect ticket bookings at railway counters.
Aadhaar authentication becomes compulsory for online general ticket bookings via IRCTC.
The rule applies in the first 15 minutes of reservation openings.
Bookings at PRS counters remain unchanged.
The move aims to combat ticket misuse and ensure access for genuine users.
The change affects bookings for festivals such as Diwali and Chhath.
- Who
- IRCTC users
- What
- Mandatory Aadhaar authentication for online general ticket bookings
- When
- Effective October 1, 2025
- Where
- IRCTC website and mobile app
- Why
- To prevent misuse and ensure fair access
Potential Benefits
Potential Concerns
Fairness
Potential Benefits
Ensures genuine passengers get early access to tickets.
Potential Concerns
May pose challenges for users without easy access to Aadhaar or the internet.
- Implementation Date
- October 1, 2025
- Affected Service
- Online general ticket booking
- Requirement
- Aadhaar authentication
- Booking Window
- First 15 minutes
- Unaffected Service
- PRS counter bookings
