Why this
change came about
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism
Corporation (IRCTC) and Ministry of Railways have rolled out a new rule to
boost fairness in online train ticket bookings. In recent years, many tickets
reserved 60 days in advance (“Opening Tickets”) were grabbed by unscrupulous
agents or automated systems leaving genuine passengers frustrated. The
authorities found millions of bogus user-IDs and very rapid bookings at the
opening time, which created an unfair advantage for a few This new policy intends to prioritise real,
verified individuals and reduce misuse.
What
exactly is the new rule
From 1 October 2025, for general reserved
online bookings during the first 15 minutes of the opening window, only
Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC user accounts can book. In other words, if you are booking a ticket
exactly when the quota opens (typically at 8 am, 60 days before travel), you
must have your IRCTC userid linked with Aadhaar and complete live verification
(OTP) to proceed. Tickets booked via unverified accounts or through agents in
that initial time slot will not be allowed. This step complements earlier
cut-offs and restrictions around agent access.
How it
affects passengers in practice
For you, as a traveller, this change means a
few things:
- Ensure
your IRCTC account is fully verified with Aadhaar and your mobile number
is linked.
- On the
day your tickets open (60 days before your journey), log in before the
first slot and verify your identity via OTP.
- Avoid
relying on agents or bulk-booking services for that first window, because
policies now limit their access.
- After
the first 15 minutes, or for bookings outside that special window, the
usual booking process applies (though verification is still encouraged).
This policy should improve your chances of securing a ticket fairly, especially for popular dates and trains.
The broader
impact on ticketing ecosystem
By enforcing verified user-IDs and OTP checks,
IRCTC is trying to curb automated booking bots, bulk-bookings, and scalpers.
This should lead to more seats for genuine passengers and reduce the speed at
which tickets vanish the moment bookings open. Analysts believe this will
improve trust in the reservation system. Additionally, when the booking window opens 60
days ahead (since Nov 1 2024 the advance window was reduced from 120 days to
60) capacity and demand are more evenly balanced.
Together, these changes support passengers planning ahead rather than those
with unfair access.
Things to
watch out for and tips
- Prepare
your account ahead: Link Aadhaar, mobile number, and ensure
OTP verification works.
- Know
your booking window: For “Opening Ticket” days, 60-day
advance begins exactly 8 am on the day the quota opens. Missing that slot
might mean wait-lists.
- First
15 minutes are crucial: The anti-agent rule applies only at the
initial window; after that, agent bookings may resume but still under
oversight.
- Keep
realistic expectations: High-demand trains may still fill up
fast, so even with verification you may face wait-lists.
- Stay
updated: Rules may evolve further keep track of IRCTC announcements.
Why this
matters for you
If you travel by train in India and rely on
online bookings for reserved seats, this rule is a positive change. It reduces
unfair practices, gives you a better shot at booking your desired journey, and
makes the system more transparent. For popular routes, festivals or weekends,
every second counts having your verification ready improves your
chances. Over time, it should also help reduce the frustration of seeing
tickets vanish within minutes of opening.
In summary
The IRCTC’s new policy mandating
Aadhaar-authenticated user IDs and OTP verification in the first 15 minutes of
bookings is a key step towards fairer rail ticketing. As opening quotas begin
60 days ahead, having your online account properly verified means you’re in the
game while bulk-booking agents and bots lose some
of their edge. Prepare early, act fast, and you stand a better chance of
getting the train seat you want.
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