Starting October 1, 2025, indian Railways will implement a significant change to its ticket booking system. Passengers booking general reserved tickets during the first 15 minutes of the opening window on the IRCTC website or mobile app will be required to complete Aadhaar authentication. This new rule is aimed at enhancing security and ensuring a smoother ticket booking process.
Here’s everything you need to know about this new policy:
1. What is the New Aadhaar Authentication Requirement?
· Who is Affected?: The rule applies only to passengers booking general reserved tickets during the first 15 minutes of the ticket booking window, which often sees a high number of ticket requests due to heavy demand.
· How Does it Work?: Once you begin booking your ticket, you’ll be prompted to authenticate your Aadhaar number. The system will send an OTP (One-Time Password) to the registered mobile number linked to your Aadhaar.
· Purpose: The Aadhaar authentication will verify the passenger’s identity and prevent misuse of the booking system, especially during peak booking hours.
2. Why is This Change Being Made?
· Preventing Misuse: With high demand for train tickets, especially during peak seasons or holidays, this new rule aims to curb fraudulent bookings and ensure tickets are being booked by genuine passengers.
· Improving Security: The implementation of Aadhaar authentication adds an extra layer of security and helps verify passenger identity during online booking, reducing the chances of fake or duplicate bookings.
· Ease of Access: By linking Aadhaar, indian Railways aims to make the process faster and more efficient, ensuring smoother transactions for passengers.
3. How Does the Aadhaar Authentication Benefit Passengers?
· Faster Ticket Booking: With Aadhaar authentication, the entire process of booking a ticket is streamlined and faster, reducing the chances of fraudulent practices that often slow down the system.
· Minimizes the Risk of Fake Bookings: This authentication method will help reduce the number of fake or duplicate bookings that often lead to delays or empty seats being occupied by non-genuine users.
· Enhanced Security: Passengers can feel more secure knowing that their personal information is protected and verified through the Aadhaar system.
4. What Happens If You Don’t Have an Aadhaar?
· Alternate Options: While Aadhaar is required for the first 15 minutes of booking general reserved tickets, passengers who don’t have an Aadhaar or are unable to authenticate for any reason may still be able to book tickets once the 15-minute window has passed.
· Help Desk: If you face any issues during the process, the IRCTC customer support will be available to assist with alternative solutions.
5. Is This Rule Applicable to All Passengers?
· General Reserved Tickets Only: This rule specifically applies to general reserved tickets. Passengers booking Tatkal tickets or other special types of reservations may not be affected by this change.
· Aadhaar Verification for New Users: If you are a first-time user of the irctc portal or app, make sure your Aadhaar details are updated and linked to your irctc account to avoid any delays when booking tickets.
6. Future Implications
· Streamlined Booking Process: This initiative could lead to faster, more secure booking systems for train passengers across India, setting a precedent for future wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW'>digital transformations in the railways sector.
· More Innovations Ahead: indian Railways might expand the use of Aadhaar authentication to other services in the future, making travel safer and more efficient.
Conclusion
This new rule of Aadhaar authentication for booking general reserved tickets online marks a step towards securing the ticketing system and improving the overall passenger experience. It’s important for all passengers to ensure their Aadhaar details are correctly linked to their IRCTC accounts before October 1, 2025 to avoid any inconvenience.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
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