IRCTC Requires Aadhaar Authentication For Morning Reservations; What Travellers Need To Know

In a bid to curb misuse and ensure fair access to train ticket bookings, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced that from October 28, 2025, online bookings for reserved train seats during specified morning hours will be permitted only for users whose accounts have been authenticated via Aadhaar. The move covers ticket bookings made through the IRCTC website and mobile app and applies to the first day of the booking window for many services.Mandatory Aadhaar Authentication In Morning WindowAccording to official guidelines, the new rule stipulates that only IRCTC users whose profiles have been authenticated with Aadhaar will be able to book reserved tickets online during the morning window of 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the first day when reservations open. The rule was made effective on October 28, 2025. The objective as stated by the Ministry of Railways is that the benefits of the reservation system reach genuine passengers rather than being captured by touts or automated bulk-booking systems.What Passengers Must Do: Linking And VerificationTo comply with the new requirement, users of IRCTC’s website or app must link their Aadhaar number to their account and complete the authentication process. These steps typically involve logging in, navigating to the “My Profile” or “Link Aadhaar” section, entering the 12-digit Aadhaar number and then verifying via OTP sent to the mobile number registered with the Aadhaar. Once the profile is Aadhaar-verified, the user becomes eligible to book tickets during the restricted window. Users who have not completed Aadhaar authentication will be unable to make online reserved bookings in that specified time slot.Background: Prior Changes To Tatkal BookingThis morning-window requirement builds on earlier changes introduced in July 2025, where the Ministry of Railways made Aadhaar authentication mandatory for bookings under the Tatkal scheme. From July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users could book Tatkal tickets online, with further OTP-verification becoming mandatory from July 15. The aim of the earlier changes was similarly to reduce automated bookings by bots or agents and prioritise ordinary passengers for Tatkal tickets.Scope, Limitations & Impact On BookingThe new rule specifically applies to online bookings of reserved tickets made via IRCTC website or mobile app during the morning window on the first day of ticket release. It does not alter the timing or rules at PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters for physical bookings, which will remain unchanged as per the Railways statement. Further, authorised ticket-booking agents continue to face restrictions: in the new policy, agents are subject to a ban on booking tickets in the initial portion of the opening window to ensure fair access for individuals. The Railways expects this move to deter misuse, improve transparency and ensure that tickets reach genuine individual travellers rather than bulk-booked batches.What To Check Before You BookTravellers are advised to verify their IRCTC account status to confirm Aadhaar linkage ahead of time. Failure to complete Aadhaar verification means they may be barred from booking during the peak morning window, which is often when the highest-demand trains open. Users should update their profile, ensure their mobile number matches the one linked to Aadhaar, and follow the OTP process. As with any new rule, delays in verification may lead to missed opportunities to book highly sought-after trains.What To Expect On Booking DayOn the morning of ticket release, you’ll log into your IRCTC account and see if your profile shows a “Verified” or “Aadhaar-authenticated” status. If yes, you can proceed to select your train, date and class. During the 8 a.m.–10 a.m. window you’ll still need to follow other standard booking steps (selecting passengers, payment etc), but the authentication check happens in advance. For counter bookings, or outside the morning window, things remain unchanged, but the earlier you’re ready the better your chances of securing a seat on a high-demand train.(With inputs from various sources.)FAQs1. From when is Aadhaar authentication mandatory for IRCTC bookings?The new Aadhaar authentication rule for morning online train bookings came into effect on 28 October 2025, as announced by the Ministry of Railways.2. What time window does the Aadhaar authentication rule apply to?It applies to online reserved ticket bookings made through the IRCTC website or app between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the first day of the booking window.3. How can passengers link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC account?Travellers can log in to the IRCTC website or app, go to the “My Profile” section, select “Link Aadhaar,” enter their Aadhaar number, and verify it via OTP sent to their registered mobile number.4. Does the rule affect Tatkal and counter bookings?Tatkal bookings already require Aadhaar authentication since July 2025. Counter bookings at PRS offices remain unaffected by this rule and can be made without Aadhaar authentication.5. Can users without Aadhaar still book tickets?Yes, but not during the 8 a.m.–10 a.m. window on the first day of booking. They can book later in the day or at physical reservation counters.6. Why has IRCTC made Aadhaar authentication mandatory?The rule aims to prevent misuse of the reservation system by touts or bots, ensuring that genuine passengers have fair access to high-demand tickets.7. What happens if a user’s Aadhaar is not linked before booking?If a user’s IRCTC account is not Aadhaar-authenticated, they will be unable to make online bookings during the restricted morning window until the verification is complete.8. Will this rule be extended to other booking categories in future?As of now, the rule applies only to morning online bookings and Tatkal tickets. Any future expansion will depend on the Railway Ministry’s assessment of the policy’s effectiveness.Can You Carry Alcohol On Trains? Here’s All About The Indian Railways' Liquor Carrying Rules