Aadhaar Must for First 15 Minutes of Railway E-Booking From Oct 1

• By Thetripurapost Desk, New Delhi
• Sep 16, 2025
• 460

In a sweeping reform aimed at curbing    ticketing malpractice, the Ministry of Railways has mandated that only Aadhaar-authenticated passengers will be able to book reserved general tickets on the IRCTC website and mobile app during the first 15 minutes of the booking window, starting October 1, 2025.

The move is designed to prevent touts and unscrupulous agents from cornering tickets within seconds of bookings opening—an issue that has long plagued Indian Railways, particularly on high-demand routes. Officials revealed that on many popular trains, most seats vanish within the first 10 minutes, leaving genuine passengers stranded.

 “This measure ensures that the reservation system benefits the common man and not be misused by vested interests,” the ministry said in its circular.

 

What the Rule Means

From Oct 1: Only passengers whose Aadhaar is linked and authenticated with IRCTC can book in the first 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes: Authorised agents will be allowed to access online reservations.

No change for bookings made through PRS counters at railway stations.

Inspired by Tatkal Policy

Railway officials cited the success of a similar rule in Tatkal bookings, where agents were barred for the first 15 minutes. That restriction significantly reduced bulk booking scams and improved access for genuine travellers.

Impact on Passengers

This change is expected to tilt the balance in favour of ordinary users, especially those racing against time to secure tickets on peak routes. However, passengers without Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts will be locked out during the crucial window.

Experts say the step could boost transparency and fairness, but also warn of technical glitches and authentication delays during peak load times.

With festival season approaching, the Railways is betting on Aadhaar-based verification to ensure “common end users get their fair share of seats.”