Last chance to link Aadhaar with IRCTC before October
From October 1, 2025, if you want to grab a reserved general ticket online as soon as bookings open, you'll need your IRCTC account linked with Aadhaar.
For the first 15 minutes of every booking window, only Aadhaar-verified users can book tickets online—meant to keep ticket touts and agents from snapping up all the seats before regular travelers get a chance.
What happens after 1st 15 minutes?
After those first 15 minutes, anyone with an IRCTC account can book tickets like usual.
If you'd rather skip online hassle or don't have Aadhaar handy, railway counters are still open for everyone—no extra ID needed.
The rules stopping agents from bulk-booking in the opening minutes aren't changing either.
So if train travel's in your plans, make sure your IRCTC and Aadhaar details are sorted before October rolls around!