IRCTC Ticket Booking Changes From October 1: Read Details Here

Online train ticket booking through the IRCTC website and mobile app is set to change from October 1, 2025, as the Indian Railways makes Aadhaar verification mandatory for general reservations.

Online Bookings to Be Verified

Until now, Aadhaar verification was only required for Tatkal bookings. With the new regulation, passengers booking general reservation tickets online will also need Aadhaar-linked accounts. In particular, only users with verified Aadhaar will be able to book tickets in the crucial first 15 minutes after the booking window opens.

Railway officials explained that this step is designed to make online booking fairer and smoother for passengers, especially during the festive season when demand for tickets soars.

Targeting Brokers and Fake Bookings

The change comes in response to long-standing concerns over fraudulent practices on IRCTC, where touts and middlemen often use fake Aadhaar numbers to block tickets and then resell them at inflated prices. Aadhaar verification, the Railway Board said, will ensure tickets go to genuine travellers.

PRS Counters Unaffected

The new rule is exclusive to IRCTC's digital platforms. Ticket booking at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters remains unchanged. Passengers without Aadhaar verification can still buy tickets at railway stations as before.

Passenger Advisory

Railway authorities have urged travellers to verify their Aadhaar on IRCTC well before October 1. Those who fail to complete the process may find it difficult to secure tickets online, especially during the festive travel rush.