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Indian Railways is preparing to make passenger travel more secure, implementing major changes starting October 1. Starting October 1, 2025, e-Aadhaar verification will become mandatory for general reservation ticket bookings, similar to Tatkal. The Railway Ministry has issued a notification clarifying that no tickets will be booked without Aadhaar in the first 15 minutes. The Railways have made this change to curb fraudulent ticket booking.

Aadhaar is now required for general tickets as well.
Until now, general ticket booking was a free-for-all game, meaning anyone could log in and book. But now? Aadhaar login is required to book tickets on the IRCTC website or app within the first 15 minutes of the reservation window opening. If your IRCTC account is already linked to Aadhaar, booking will be easier. Waiting times will be reduced, and tickets will be confirmed faster. The old schedule for booking general reservation tickets at the railway's computerized PRS counters will remain the same. Additionally, the 10-minute restriction on ticket booking on the first day for authorized railway ticketing agents will remain unchanged.

The first 15 minutes are precious.
The railways state that the purpose of these new rules is to ensure that only genuine passengers have the opportunity to book tickets and prevent fraud. Aadhaar verification will ensure that only the person with the registered Aadhaar number is booking the ticket. Agents will not be allowed to book tickets for both AC and non-AC classes for the first 15 minutes. If you are booking a ticket through the IRCTC website or app, you must first link your Aadhaar number to your IRCTC account. When you go to book a ticket, an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Your booking will be confirmed only after entering this OTP.

Aadhaar authentication is now mandatory
According to the new rules, Aadhaar authentication is mandatory. If your account is not linked to Aadhaar, you will not be able to book a confirmed ticket in the first 15 minutes. The railways have not provided any other method for booking tickets without Aadhaar.

What if you book over the counter?
If you book tickets over the counter at a railway station, you will need to provide your Aadhaar number from October 1, 2025. Your Aadhaar verification at the counter will be done via OTP. This means your mobile number must be linked to Aadhaar to receive the OTP. Agents will not be able to book tickets for the first 10 minutes. If you want to book tickets online, it's essential to link your Aadhaar number to your IRCTC account.

Get ready with these simple tips:
Link Aadhaar: Go to IRCTC now and link your account with Aadhaar. The process is simple – just enter your Aadhaar number and verify the OTP.
Save time: Take advantage of booking in the first 15 minutes, but be sure to verify or you'll miss it.
Agents beware: If you're an agent, keep the 10-minute limit in mind.
Offline option: Book at the counter if you have trouble booking online.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News 18 hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.