IRCTC Aadhaar Linking Rules: New Ticket Booking Changes

Indian Railways has introduced stricter IRCTC Aadhaar linking rules to regulate online train ticket bookings and improve access for genuine passengers. Under these new rules, users must link their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC account to book tickets online during key hours on the opening day of advance reservations.

Earlier, large numbers of tickets were booked within minutes due to automated software and agent misuse. As a result, Indian Railways decided to prioritise Aadhaar-verified users during peak booking hours. Therefore, passengers without Aadhaar-linked accounts now face time-based restrictions.

Phased Rollout of IRCTC Aadhaar Linking Rules

Indian Railways has implemented the new system in phases to allow passengers time to adapt. Initially, from December 29, unlinked users could not book tickets online between 8 AM and 12 PM on the opening day. Subsequently, from January 5, the restriction window expanded from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Meanwhile, Indian Railways has announced that from January 12, passengers without Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts will not be able to book tickets online from 8 AM until midnight on the opening day. In contrast, Aadhaar-verified users will continue to book tickets throughout the day without interruption.

Who the New Rules Affect

These IRCTC Aadhaar linking rules apply only to online bookings made through the IRCTC website and mobile app. However, passengers can still book tickets at railway reservation counters without Aadhaar linkage by using valid identity documents.

Why Indian Railways Enforced These Changes

According to railway officials, the updated rules aim to reduce ticket hoarding and prevent misuse of the online system. Additionally, the move seeks to improve transparency and ensure fair access to tickets for regular travellers. As a result, genuine passengers are expected to benefit from smoother booking on opening day.

How Passengers Can Link Aadhaar

Passengers can easily link Aadhaar by logging into their IRCTC account and completing OTP-based verification under the profile section. Therefore, users are advised to complete Aadhaar linking in advance to avoid booking restrictions.