IRCTC Rule Change: Aadhaar Required for Ticket Bookings During 8 AM - 10 AM Slot

The Indian Railways has made Aadhaar authentication mandatory for booking train tickets on the IRCTC website and mobile app between 8 am and 10 am. As per the news reports, the change took effect from October 28, 2025, and is meant to prevent misuse of the system during high-demand hours when tickets for popular trains sell out quickly.

New Rule for Online Bookings

During the 8 am to 10 am slot, only passengers whose IRCTC accounts are linked with Aadhaar will be able to make bookings. Those who have not completed Aadhaar verification can still reserve tickets outside this window. The restriction applies only to online users on both the IRCTC website and mobile app.

How to Verify Aadhaar on IRCTC

Passengers can complete Aadhaar authentication through their IRCTC account by following these steps:

1. Log in to www.irctc.co.in.
2. Go to My Profile → Authenticate User.
3. Enter your Aadhaar Number or Virtual ID and verify your details.
4. Click on ‘Verify details and receive OTP’.
5. Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and submit.

Once verified, users can book tickets at any time, including the restricted morning slot.

Earlier Measures by Railways

This step is part of a plan by the Railways to tighten digital verification and reduce irregularities in online ticketing. Aadhaar verification has already been mandatory for Tatkal bookings since July 1, 2025. From July 15, an additional OTP-based Aadhaar authentication was introduced for tickets booked online, through agents, and at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.

No Change for Offline Bookings

The new rule does not affect passengers booking tickets through PRS counters. The offline booking process and timing remain unchanged.

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IRCTC Share Price Performance 

As of November 7, 2025, 3:30 pm, IRCTC share price closed at ₹704.00, a 0.09% increase from the previous closing price.

Conclusion

The Aadhaar rule applies only to online reservations made during the 8-10 am period. Passengers using IRCTC for morning bookings will now need to complete Aadhaar authentication to proceed with reservations.

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