Indian Railways has announced a big change to online ticket booking.

By Aniket Chakraborty Sept 16, 2025 Arrow INDIA NEWS

Starting October 1, Aadhaar will be mandatory for early reservations.

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The rule applies to the first 15 minutes of the booking window.

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Passengers must verify Aadhaar on IRCTC’s website or mobile app.

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Without Aadhaar authentication, bookings cannot be made in this slot.

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The move aims to curb misuse and ensure fair access for genuine travellers.

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For ticket counters, the process remains unchanged.

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Agents will continue to face a 10-minute restriction on early bookings.

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CRIS and IRCTC are updating systems before the October rollout.

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Railways will issue clear guidelines and awareness drives for smooth implementation.

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