IRCTC New Rules: There is significant news for train travelers. IRCTC, the online ticketing platform of the Indian Railways, has made significant changes to the rules related to ticket booking. Starting October 28, 2025, the time from 8 AM to 10 AM will be open only to passengers whose IRCTC accounts are verified with Aadhaar. If a user has not yet linked their account with Aadhaar, they will not be able to book tickets during this period.
This move by the Railways aims to control problems such as fraudulent bookings, fraudulent agents, and ticket blocking through bots. This time slot is when booking for new trains opens, and demand is highest. Now, only genuine passengers will be allowed to book tickets during these two hours.
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Learn about the new rule
Under this rule, which will come into effect on October 28, 2025, only Aadhaar-verified users will be able to book tickets on the IRCTC platform from 8 AM to 10 AM. Other users will be able to book tickets as usual after 10 am. The Railways says this step has been taken to make ticket booking transparent and secure.
This time is considered a “high-demand slot” by the Railways, as it is during this time that the highest number of confirmed tickets are booked. Previously, agents and automated bots would book thousands of tickets simultaneously during this time, preventing ordinary passengers from getting tickets. Now, Aadhaar verification will ensure the identity of every user.
Why is Aadhaar authentication necessary?
The Railways stated that complaints of ticket blacklisting and unauthorized bookings through bots and fake accounts were increasing. This prevented ordinary passengers from getting confirmed seats. Aadhaar authentication will uniquely identify each user, allowing a limited number of tickets to be booked per person. This will not only prevent fraudulent bookings but also eliminate the possibility of misuse of tickets by agents.
How to link Aadhaar to an IRCTC account
If you haven’t yet linked your IRCTC account to your Aadhaar card, it can be done from home in a few easy steps. To do this, first visit the www.irctc.co.in website and log in to your account. Go to the “My Profile” section and select the “Authenticate Aadhaar” option. Enter your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID and enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number. After verifying the OTP, click “Submit.” Within seconds, your account will be linked to Aadhaar, and “Aadhaar authenticated” will appear on your profile.
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Bookings are blocked between 8 and 10 a.m.
According to railway officials, the busiest time for ticket bookings is during this time. Bookings for new trains open during this time, and confirmed seats are filled within minutes. Previously, numerous agents and bots would collude to block tickets during this time, preventing ordinary passengers from obtaining confirmed tickets. Now, only genuine passengers will be allowed to book tickets through Aadhaar verification. This will strictly control ticket black market and illegal bookings.