New Delhi: The government has made Aadhaar authentication must for booking reserved general tickets through the IRCTC website or app from October 1, during the first 15 minutes after booking opens for any train. Presently, the 15-minute restriction is applicable to Tatkal bookings only. The ministry has now extend this facility to general reservation bookings as well.
“With a view to ensure that the benefits of the reservation system reach the common end user and are not misused by unscrupulous elements, it has been decided that with effect from 1.10.2025, during the first 15 minutes of opening of general reservation, reserved general tickets can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users,” the Railways Ministry said in a circular on Monday.
According to the ministry, authorised ticket agents will be allowed to book online reservations after 15 minutes. “There shall, however, be no change in timing for booking of general reserved tickets through computerised PRS counters of Indian Railways,” the circular said.
It also clarified that there will also be no change in the timing of restriction of 10 minutes of opening of general reservation during which authorised ticketing agents of Indian Railways will not be allowed to book opening day reserved tickets.
The railway ministry has already put a 10-minute restriction on agents to book general reservations from the counter. The said restriction has been retained, a Railway official told PTI.
The circular said, “CRIS and IRCTC shall make necessary modifications in the system accordingly under intimation to all zonal railways as well as this office.”
Explaining the new rule, the official said that the if a train is scheduled to depart at 10 am on October 1, and reservations open today at 10 am, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be allowed to book general reservations for the first 15 minutes.
“Previously, this restriction applied only to Tatkal bookings, which open at 10 am for AC classes and at 11 am for non-AC classes, a day before the train’s departure,” the official said.