No reserved railway ticket without Aadhaar from October 1: New rule, time limit for irctc.co.in, app bookings

You will not be able to book general reserved railway tickets on the IRCTC website (irctc.co.in) and app in the first 15 minutes of the reservation window if you are not an Aadhaar authenticated user, according to a release by the Ministry of Railways.

The new rule will be applicable from October 1, 2025.

The ministry has taken this decision to ensure that the benefits of the ticket reservation system are not misused by unscrupulous elements.

What is the time limit for the new rule?

As per the release, the new rule to allow only Aadhaar-authenticated users to book tickets will be applicable for the first 15 minutes of the opening of the general reservation window on the IRCTC portal and app.

The general reservation window opens 60 days before the departure date of the train.

However, there will be no change in the 10-minute restriction period during which authorised Indian Railways ticketing agents cannot book opening day reserved tickets.

What the ministry said

"With a view to ensure that the benefits of the reservation system reach the common end user and are not misused by unscrupulous elements, it has been decided that, with effect from 01.10.2025, during the first 15 minutes of the opening of general reservation, reserved general tickets can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/its app only by Aadhaar-authenticated users," the ministry said.

"There shall, however, be no change in the timings of booking of general reserved tickets through computerized PRS counters of Indian Railways at present. There shall also be no change in the timings of the restriction of 10 minutes of the opening of general reservation during which authorised ticketing agents of Indian Railways shall not be allowed to book opening day reserved tickets," it added.