- By Alex David
- Mon, 19 Jan 2026 01:25 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
To link your Aadhaar Card while booking train tickets on IRCTC is now mandatory. However, this process is beneficial in prioritising booking windows such as Tatkal and securing your account from misuse by agents. Travellers on IRCTC need to complete this process in order to avoid booking limitations and verification errors, as they cannot complete booking before this process is completed. This quick process takes very limited time and documentation. For Passport Holder customers, this will result in improved availability and affordability of train seats. This guide has been designed to help customers link their Aadhaar Card to their IRCTC account as easily as possible.
Why Link Aadhaar with Your IRCTC Account
The verification process of linking an Aadhaar Card to an account is designed to help IRCTC screen out genuine passengers and remove any potential for agents to make bulk bookings. Your account now has enhanced access to Tatkal and Premium Tatkal tickets. Each time an agent is blocked from making the booking, the genuine customer is granted the opportunity to make the booking. This creates an equitable chance for passengers who genuinely need to travel.
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Requirements Before You Begin
Before beginning the linking process, make sure you have the following items:
- An active IRCTC account, along with a valid user ID and password
- Aadhaar card (either the physical card with the 12-digit number or the virtual ID card)
- A mobile number that is registered with Aadhaar. An OTP will be sent to this number for verification.
- Your personal details must match across both your IRCTC and Aadhaar records, i.e., first name, last name, date of birth, and gender.
Step-by-Step Process to Link Aadhaar
Step 1: Visit the official IRCTC website and log in using your registered credentials.
Step 2: Navigate to the My Account section from the top menu.
Step 3: Select the Authenticate User or Link Your Aadhaar option.
Step 4: Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number or Virtual ID in the designated field.
Step 5: Verify that your name, date of birth, and gender match your Aadhaar records exactly.
Step 6: Click Verify Details and Receive OTP to request the one-time password.
Step 7: Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Step 8: Accept the consent statement and submit the form to complete authentication.
How to Verify Authentication Status
It is easy to check the status of the link after completing the linking of the IRCTC account to Aadhaar. All you have to do is to enter the IRCTC account and find out if there is a green top in the top portion of the display screen once you are logged in. The link status can also be found out from “My Account” in the IRCTC account by clicking on the “Authenticate User” tab.
Important Points to Remember
So that your linking process may succeed, your mobile number must be active and your mobile number must be linked to Aadhaar, as your mobile number will get your OTPs for account verification. Moreover, in the linking requests, the entire data you enter (Name, Date of Birth, Gender, etc.) must match the requisite information stored in the databases of IRCTC and Aadhaar. When you authenticate, you will get access to special booking windows for authenticated users, thus giving you a better chance to book tickets during peak travel time.
Final Thoughts
Every Indian rail passenger should complete the Aadhaar linking process with IRCTC; this is a very simple yet extremely important step to take. This quick process will not only make your IRCTC account secure; it will also make it much easier for you to have an equal opportunity to purchase your train tickets during busy periods and when booking Tatkal tickets. All it takes is a few minutes and your Aadhaar number, and any booking restrictions that you may have will be eliminated, giving you a much smoother and hassle-free experience when making your ticket reservations. Complete this process now so that you do not run into any last-minute issues before your next train journey.