New rule aims to stop misuse and ensure fair access to reservations

The Indian Railways has introduced a major change for passengers booking tickets through the IRCTC website and mobile app. From October 28, 2025, Aadhaar authentication has been made compulsory for booking reserved train tickets online during the high-demand morning window of 8 am to 10 am.

According to the Ministry of Railways, this step has been taken to ensure that reservation benefits reach genuine travellers and to curb misuse by touts, bulk bookers and automated software. Officials said the move supports the government’s effort to increase transparency and fairness in online ticketing.

The 8 am–10 am period is usually the busiest for popular trains, as it marks the opening of the reservation window for many routes

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