Indian Railways Revises IRCTC Ticket Booking Window for Aadhaar Users from Dec 29

Indian Railways has revised the online ticket booking window for Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts, effective from 29 December 2025. On the first day of the Advance Reservation Period, only Aadhaar-verified users will be allowed to book general reserved tickets for extended periods, as a measure to deter touts.

Indian Railways Ticket Booking Rules Change: New Train Reservation Timings for Aadhaar-Linked IRCTC Users from Dec 29

This adjustment applies to online bookings made through the IRCTC website and mobile app, and does not apply to tickets purchased at computerized Passenger Reservation System counters. Railway officials say the aim is to ensure that reserved seats go to genuine passengers and that booking patterns remain transparent during peak demand times.

Indian Railways reservation and IRCTC ticket booking window expansion

The Railway Board has chosen to progressively widen the exclusive Aadhaar-authenticated booking window in three phases. Beginning 29 December 2025, Aadhaar-verified passengers will receive priority access from 8:00 to 12:00. This priority slot will be broadened in January 2026 to eventually cover the entire online booking opening day. During the phased rollout, the booking window for Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users will run from 8:00 to 16:00 starting 5 January 2026. From 12 January 2026 onward, Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts will have the sole right to book general reserved tickets from 8:00 until 00:00 on the ARP opening day.

Indian Railways reservation and IRCTC ticket booking background

Earlier, Indian Railways limited the first 15 minutes of online general reservations to IRCTC users verified with Aadhaar. This rule applied when the Advance Reservation Period began, allowing only authenticated accounts to book during that brief interval to deter bulk touting. Later, the rule broadened to require Aadhaar-based login for online bookings on the opening day between 8:00 and 10:00 hours. The most recent decision expands this framework further to tighten access to high-demand slots, while still permitting regular customers who link and verify their Aadhaar details on their IRCTC profiles to book.

Indian Railways reservation and IRCTC ticket booking official order

A Railway Board communication dated 18 December 2025 sent to all Principal Chief Commercial Managers states that, continuing from earlier instructions on requiring Aadhaar-verified IRCTC accounts for booking General reserved tickets on the opening day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP), the scope of Aadhaar-authenticated general reservations on the opening day will be expanded in a phased manner to cover up to 0000 hours of that day.

The phased schedule for Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC ticket booking on the opening day of Indian Railways reservation is shown below:

Indian Railways reservation and IRCTC ticket booking and chart timings

While the online booking rules change, Indian Railways has kept chart preparation guidelines standard across trains. For services departing between 05:01 and 14:00 hours, the first reservation chart is usually prepared by 20:00 hours on the previous day. This provides passengers clarity on seat status well before travel.

For trains scheduled to leave between 14:01 and 23:59 hours, and for departures from 00:00 to 05:00 hours, the first chart is typically readied at least ten hours before the scheduled departure time. Railways officials describe these timings as important for managing last-minute cancellations, waitlisted passengers and possible upgrades.