From October 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication will be required during the first 15 minutes of booking general reservation tickets on IRCTC.
Passengers who have not linked their Aadhaar with their IRCTC account will not be able to book tickets in this period. Ticket booking at railway counters will continue as usual.
How to Link Aadhaar with IRCTC
Log in to the IRCTC website or mobile app
Go to “My Account” and select “Link Your Aadhaar”
Enter the 12-digit Aadhaar number
Verify with OTP
After successful verification, Aadhaar will be linked for hassle-free ticket booking
Why This Step Was Taken
According to the Railway Ministry, this rule will:
Ensure fair ticket distribution
Prevent black marketing of tickets
Improve the chances of common passengers getting confirmed tickets
Scope of the Rule
Applies only to online general ticket bookings
Already in place for Tatkal ticket bookings
No change for bookings at railway counters
Expert Opinion
Experts say the new rule will make IRCTC’s booking system more secure and reliable, ensuring benefits for genuine passengers.
Advice for Passengers
Passengers are advised to link their Aadhaar in advance to avoid disruptions while booking tickets online.
