• Source:JND
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IRCTC Ticket Booking: In a move aimed at preventing misuse of the railway reservation system by travel agents and ensuring genuine passengers get priority access, Indian Railways has announced a key change in its online ticket booking process. The Railway Ministry will allow only Aadhaar-authenticated users to book reserved general tickets through the IRCTC website or app during the first 15 minutes after booking opens for any train. At present, this restriction applies only to Tatkal bookings.

IRCTC Ticket Booking: What’s Changing?

Starting October 1, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be able to book general reserved tickets on the IRCTC website or app during the first 15 minutes of the booking window.

Ministry said that after 15 minutes, authorised ticket agents will be allowed to book online reservations.

This change follows the earlier update implemented on July 1 for Tatkal bookings, introducing Aadhaar-based verification to strengthen transparency and fairness.

In a press release, the Railway Ministry said, "To ensure that the benefits of the reservation system reach the common user and are not exploited by unscrupulous elements, it has been decided that from October 1, the first 15 minutes of general reservation opening will be limited to Aadhaar-authenticated bookings on IRCTC platforms."

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IRCTC Ticket Booking: Key Points

- For example, if a train is scheduled to depart at 10 am on October 1, and reservations open today at 10 am, for the first 15 minutes, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be allowed to book general reservations.

- No changes will be made to booking via PRS counters (offline railway reservation centres).

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- The existing 10-minute restriction on authorised railway agents booking opening-day reserved tickets remains in place.

- Ticket agents will still not be allowed to book tickets during the first 10 minutes of reservation opening.