Is Aadhaar Required for Online Ticket Booking in the First 15 Minutes from October 1?
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Synopsis
Starting October 1, Indian Railways will require Aadhaar authentication for online ticket bookings during the first 15 minutes after ticket sales begin. This initiative targets ticketing misuse and aims to enhance the travel experience for genuine passengers. Discover how this change will affect you and what new measures are being implemented by the Railways.
Key Takeaways
- Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for online ticket bookings in the first 15 minutes from October 1.
- This measure aims to prevent ticket hoarding and prioritize genuine passengers.
- No changes to booking times at PRS counters.
- Reservation charts will be prepared 8 hours before departure.
- The new PRS will greatly enhance processing capacity.
New Delhi, Sep 15 (NationPress) In a significant initiative to combat the misuse of its ticketing system and ensure that genuine passengers receive their due benefits, Indian Railways announced on Monday that Aadhaar authentication will be compulsory for online bookings of general reserved tickets during the initial 15 minutes after reservation openings. The new regulation will take effect from October 1, as stated by the Ministry of Railways.
As per the ministry’s guidelines, only users who authenticate their identity using Aadhaar on the IRCTC website or app will be eligible to secure tickets within this critical 15-minute timeframe.
Officials clarified that this measure aims to prevent unscrupulous individuals from monopolizing tickets at the moment of release and to prioritize genuine end-users.
The ministry also emphasized that there will be no alterations to the ticket booking timings at computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
Likewise, the existing 10-minute limit for authorized agents to book tickets on the opening day will remain unchanged.
This initiative is part of a broader set of reforms that Indian Railways is implementing within its reservation framework.
Earlier in June, the Railways had revealed that reservation charts would now be created 8 hours prior to a train's departure instead of the previous 4 hours, allowing passengers with waitlisted tickets more clarity and time for their travel plans.
The Railways is also in the process of modernizing its Passenger Reservation System (PRS), being developed by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
Once the new PRS is operational, it will be capable of managing ten times the current workload, processing over 150,000 tickets per minute and handling more than 4 million inquiries per minute.
With the introduction of Aadhaar-based authentication for online bookings and the earlier preparation of reservation charts, the Railways aims to enhance transparency, passenger-friendliness, and efficiency in the ticketing process.
Point of View
I believe that the implementation of Aadhaar authentication for online ticket bookings by Indian Railways represents a crucial step toward a more equitable ticketing system. While the initiative aims to curb misuse, it is essential to ensure that genuine passengers can seamlessly access tickets without hindrance. This reform aligns with the Railways' ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance the passenger experience.
NationPress
15/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Aadhaar authentication mandatory for ticket booking?
Aadhaar authentication is required to prevent misuse of the ticketing system and to ensure that genuine passengers can secure their tickets without interference from unscrupulous elements.
When will this rule come into effect?
The new rule mandating Aadhaar authentication for online ticket bookings will come into effect on October 1.
Will this change affect ticket bookings at PRS counters?
No, the timings for ticket bookings at computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters will remain unchanged.
What is the purpose of preparing reservation charts 8 hours before departure?
Preparing reservation charts 8 hours before departure provides more clarity and planning time for passengers with waitlisted tickets.
What improvements are being made to the Passenger Reservation System?
The new Passenger Reservation System will be capable of handling ten times the current load, processing over 150,000 tickets per minute and managing more than 4 million inquiries per minute.
