In a significant move to benefit genuine passengers and curb malpractices, the Ministry of Railways has announced a phased extension of the train ticket booking window for Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users on the opening day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP). This policy change aims to streamline the reservation process and ensure tickets reach actual travelers.
Phased Rollout of Extended Booking Hours
The extension will be implemented in a gradual manner, as confirmed by the Railway Board in a letter dated December 18, 2025, addressed to all Principal Chief Commercial Managers (PCCMs). The new schedule is designed to ease passengers into the system.
The revised time slots for when only Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC accounts can book general reserved tickets online on the opening day are as follows:
- From 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Effective from December 29, 2025.
- From 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM: Effective from January 5, 2026.
- From 8:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight (00:00 hours): Effective from January 12, 2026.
Evolution of Aadhaar-Based Verification for Railways
This decision marks the latest step in the Railways' ongoing effort to integrate Aadhaar authentication into its ticketing system. Initially, Aadhaar verification was mandatory only for the first 15 minutes when general reservations opened. This window was later expanded to cover the morning hours from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on the first day of booking.
The latest directive expands this scope substantially, ultimately covering the entire opening day up until midnight. The Railway Board's letter stated the move is to "expand the scope of Aadhaar authenticated booking for general reservation on the opening day of reservation upto 0000 hours of the day in a phased manner."
Impact on Passengers and Booking Channels
The primary objective behind this measure is to deter touts and automated bots from hoarding tickets during the peak demand period when reservations open, thereby improving the chances for legitimate passengers to secure seats. The ministry believes linking bookings to a verified biometric identity will significantly reduce misuse.
It is important to note that this change applies only to online bookings made through the IRCTC website or mobile application. There will be no change in the procedure for booking tickets at computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations. The rule is specifically for the opening day of the Advance Reservation Period.
This policy shift underscores Indian Railways' commitment to leveraging technology for fairer ticket distribution. Passengers are advised to ensure their IRCTC accounts are linked with their Aadhaar well in advance to avoid any inconvenience when the new rules come into effect.
