Mandatory e-Aadhaar Verification for General Quota Ticket Booking from October 1, 2025

Under the new rule, only Aadhaar-verified users can book general quota tickets within the first 15 minutes of the booking window on the IRCTC website or mobile app. This measure aims to curb fraudulent bookings, black-market agents, and automated bots that have been monopolizing ticket availability moments after release.

When the booking window opens, registered users must have their Aadhaar number linked to their IRCTC account. An OTP will be sent to the mobile number registered with Aadhaar, and tickets will be confirmed only after successful OTP authentication. After the initial 15-minute period, ticketing opens to all authenticated users without time restrictions.

At station PRS counters, the existing process remains largely unchanged, but passengers must provide their Aadhaar number and complete OTP verification at the counter. This requires the traveler’s mobile number to be Aadhaar-linked to receive the OTP. Authorized railway agents continue to face a 10-minute booking restriction on the first day, with Aadhaar verification mandatory for all subsequent bookings.

To link Aadhaar to an IRCTC profile, log in to the IRCTC website or app, navigate to “My Profile,” and add your Aadhaar number. Ensuring your mobile number is Aadhaar-linked is crucial to receive the OTP for online booking. Failure to link will prevent ticket confirmation during the restricted period.

These rules apply uniformly across all Indian Railways zones offering ticketing services, from Delhi–Mumbai to Kolkata–Chennai routes. The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been directed to implement the necessary technical changes to enforce this nationwide mandate.