IRCTC has announced a major update that will make train ticket booking easier for Aadhaar-verified users.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has extended the ticket booking window till midnight for users who have completed Aadhaar authentication.
This new rule will come into effect from January 12.
What Has Changed for IRCTC Users?
Earlier, Aadhaar-verified users could book reserved train tickets only between 8:00 am and 12:00 noon on the first day when the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) opened.
With the new update, Aadhaar-authenticated users can now book tickets throughout the day and up to 12:00 midnight on the first day of reservation opening.
IRCTC has clarified that this change is being implemented in a phased manner.
Is the Ticket Booking Process Different Now?
IRCTC has confirmed that there is no change in the ticket booking procedure at computerised PRS counters.
For online bookings, Aadhaar-based verification remains mandatory during the initial booking window.
Earlier, this requirement applied to the first 15 minutes of general reservation opening and was later extended to the morning hours between 8:00 am and 10:00 am on the first day.
The overall booking process remains the same, with only the booking time window being expanded.
Why Did Railways Introduce This Update?
According to reports, the Ministry of Railways introduced this change to ensure that genuine passengers benefit from the reservation system.
The move is aimed at reducing misuse by touts and fraudulent users.
The Railways has stated that Aadhaar verification strengthens the system and helps identify suspicious activities using advanced technology.
Action Taken Against Fake Accounts
As part of this effort, Indian Railways has already deactivated or temporarily suspended 5.73 crore suspicious and inactive IRCTC accounts.
This step is part of a larger mission to improve transparency, fairness, and reliability in the train ticket booking system for passengers across the country.
