Starting October 1, 2025, Indian Railways is implementing new rules for booking general reserved train tickets online through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website and app. The primary change mandates Aadhaar authentication for users during the first 15 minutes of the reservation opening. This measure aims to prioritize genuine passengers and prevent misuse of the reservation system by unauthorized individuals and agents.

Key Changes Effective October 1, 2025:

• Aadhaar Authentication: For the first 15 minutes of general ticket reservation opening, only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book tickets online via the IRCTC website or app.
• Objective: The rule is designed to ensure that the benefits of the reservation system reach genuine passengers and to curb misuse by unscrupulous elements.
• No Change for PRS Counters: The timings for booking general reserved tickets through computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters of Indian Railways will remain unchanged.
• Restrictions for Agents: The existing 10-minute restriction for authorized railway ticketing agents at the start of general reservation remains in force. Agents are not allowed to book opening-day reserved tickets during this initial period.

Context and Rationale:

This new rule follows a similar measure implemented earlier this year for Tatkal ticket bookings. Since July 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication has been mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website and mobile app. Additionally, authorized ticketing agents face restrictions on booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window.

Railway officials have stated that the high demand for tickets during the initial minutes of booking often leads to quick sell-outs due to agents and the use of automated software (bots). The Aadhaar authentication requirement aims to prevent such practices and ensure fairer access to tickets for individual passengers.

Practical Implications:

• If you plan to book general reserved tickets online, ensure your IRCTC account is linked with Aadhaar to take advantage of the initial 15-minute booking window.
• If your account is not Aadhaar-verified, you will need to wait until after the first 15 minutes to attempt booking.
• Passengers booking tickets at PRS counters are not affected by this change.

Summary Table:

| Aspect | Current Rule | Change Effective from Oct 1, 2025 | | :------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Online booking via IRCTC website/app | Anyone can book at opening time | Aadhaar authentication mandatory in first 15 minutes | | Booking at computerized PRS counters | No restriction | No change | | Authorized agents booking restriction | Agents cannot book in first 10 minutes of opening | No change |

This initiative reflects the Indian Railways' ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, prevent fraud, and ensure equitable access to ticket reservations for all passengers.