• Source:JND

IRCTC Railway Ticket Booking: Indian Railways has announced a change in the ticket booking timings for Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users, effective Monday, January 5, the day the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) opens. The move is aimed at ensuring fair access to tickets and reducing misuse of the reservation system.

Extended Booking Hours On Opening Day

According to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, Aadhaar-verified users will now be able to book reserved tickets from 8 AM to 4 PM on the first day of the booking window. At present, such users are allowed to book tickets only till 12 noon on the opening day.

The revised timing will come into force from January 5, 2026.

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Why the Change Has Been Introduced

Railway officials said the decision aligns with the policy of Indian Railways to ensure that genuine passengers get priority during the high-demand booking period. The step is also meant to prevent bulk bookings by touts and unauthorised agents.

How The Policy Has Evolved

Last year, Indian Railways made Aadhaar authentication compulsory for booking reserved tickets during the first 15 minutes of the general reservation opening. This was later expanded to cover bookings between 8 AM and 10 AM.
On December 29, the booking window for Aadhaar-linked accounts was further extended till 12 noon. The latest decision now pushes this limit to 4 PM on the first day.

Officials clarified that there will be no change in ticket booking at computerised PRS counters, which will continue to operate under the existing rules.

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Updated Chart Preparation Timings

Railways have also reiterated chart preparation guidelines. For trains departing between 5:01 AM and 2 PM, the first reservation chart will be prepared by 8 PM on the previous day.
For trains leaving between 2:01 PM and 11:59 PM and those departing between midnight and 5 AM, charts will be prepared at least 10 hours before departure.

Passengers have been advised to plan bookings accordingly and ensure their IRCTC accounts are Aadhaar-verified to avail the extended window.


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