Indian Railway Ticket Booking New Rules: Aadhaar Verification Required For General Reservation Tickets

Starting 1st October 2025, passengers must have Aadhaar-verified IRCTC accounts to book general reservation tickets during the first 15 minutes. This rule aims to enhance security and ensure fair access for all travellers.

The Railway Board is introducing a significant change in ticket booking rules starting 1st October 2025. Passengers will need Aadhaar-verified IRCTC accounts to book general reservation tickets within the first 15 minutes of the booking window opening. This rule, previously applicable only to Tatkal bookings, aims to prevent fraudulent activities and ensure fair access for genuine travellers.

From October 2025, the new rule will extend Aadhaar verification requirements to general reservations. The government stated, "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 01.10.2025, during the first 15 minutes of the 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."

Aadhaar Verification for Fair Access

This initiative is designed to curb fraudulent bookings and make sure that genuine passengers have fair access to train tickets. The requirement for Aadhaar authentication was first introduced in July 2025 for Tatkal ticket bookings. At that time, users without Aadhaar verification were unable to book Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website or mobile app.

The extension of this rule to general reservations reflects Indian Railways' commitment to enhancing security and transparency in its booking process. By ensuring that only verified users can book tickets initially, it aims to reduce misuse by unauthorised agents or bots.

Impact on Travellers

Travellers should prepare for this change by ensuring their IRCTC accounts are linked with their Aadhaar numbers before October 2025. This step will be crucial for those who frequently book train tickets online, especially during peak travel times when demand is high.

Overall, this move is expected to streamline the ticket booking process and provide a more equitable system for all passengers. As Indian Railways continues to modernise its operations, such measures are likely to become more common in efforts to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.