You won't be able to book train tickets without linking your Aadhaar card until this time; the conditions will apply from the opening day. Understand the complete rules?

Posted on 5th Jan 2026 01:46 pm by rohit kumar

Indian Railways has implemented new rules to make online ticket booking more transparent. From January 5th, users who have not linked their IRCTC accounts to Aadhaar will not be able to book tickets between 8 AM and 4 PM on the first day the reservation window opens.

 

This restriction will only apply to bookings that open 60 days before the train's departure date, giving priority to genuine passengers.

 

The Ministry of Railways is implementing this change in phases to allow users time to understand the new system. The first phase began on December 29th, while the second phase is effective from today, January 5th. The third phase will be implemented from January 12th.

 

Phase 1: From December 29th, users without Aadhaar-linked accounts were restricted from booking between 8 AM and 12 PM.

 

Phase 2: From January 5th, the restriction will continue from 8 AM to 4 PM.

 

Phase 3: From January 12th, ticket booking from such accounts will be completely stopped from 8 AM to midnight.

 

These changes aim to reduce the load on the system during peak hours.

 

Curbing fraudulent bookings

This move by the railways is primarily aimed at preventing bookings made through fake accounts and by touts. The goal is to make confirmed tickets available to as many genuine passengers as possible on the opening day.

 

This step will provide equal opportunities to common people on the online platform and curb software-based manipulation.

 

Important questions related to the new general reservation booking rules:

Question 1: Why was this rule introduced?

 

Answer: The railways have taken this major step to curb ticket touts and fraudulent software. This will ensure that ordinary passengers can easily get confirmed tickets on the opening day.

 

Agents will now be unable to book tickets during the first four hours. Ordinary users will have a full opportunity to book tickets.

 

Question 2: How will Aadhaar work?

 

Answer: You will need to link your IRCTC account with your Aadhaar. When booking, an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number, and your ticket will be confirmed only after entering this OTP. Question 3: Will tickets not be booked without Aadhaar?

 

Answer: Users without an Aadhaar linked to their accounts will not be able to book tickets during the initial 4 hours. They will be given the opportunity only after this period.

 

Question 4: Have the rules changed for booking tickets at the counter as well?

 

Answer: Yes, an OTP is now required even when booking tickets at the counter. Please ensure that your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar. If you are booking a ticket for someone else, their Aadhaar and OTP will also be required.

 

Question 5: How to link Aadhaar with IRCTC?

 

Answer: To do this, you need to log in to the IRCTC app or website. Then, go to the 'My Profile' section, select the 'Aadhaar KYC' option, and update your details. After this, your Aadhaar card will be linked to your IRCTC account.

 

Question 6: Where can I get help?

 

Answer: For booking or OTP-related issues, you can call the IRCTC helpline number (139). If you are facing any problems with your Aadhaar, you can call the UIDAI helpline number (1947). You can also seek assistance at the nearest railway station counter.

Other news

After Rajpal Yadav, Ameesha Patel is embroiled in a cheque bounce case. What did Sakina say about the non-bailable warrant?

Actress Ameesha Patel has officially responded to reports of a non-bailable warrant issued agains

Delhi Bomb Threat: Dwarka court receives bomb threat via email, causing panic; police are investigating.

A sensational incident unfolded this morning at the Dwarka Court in the national capital, Delhi,

China is furious after seeing the teaser for Salman Khan's Battle of Galwan; after 'Tiger 3', this new film has also angered our neighbor.

While the Bollywood film 'Dhurandhar' is currently setting the box office on fire, its impact has

Bangladesh Unrest: Violence against minorities continues unabated in Bangladesh; six Hindus killed in 18 days.

Attacks against minorities in Bangladesh show no sign of stopping. In the violence that erupted a

Unrequited love, proposal, and shootout: Murder and suicide in 3 seconds at a law college; the inside story of the Tarn Taran massacre

On Monday morning at 9:15 a.m., law student Prince Raj Singh shot and killed his classmate, Sande

T20 World Cup: Six longest sixes in T20 World Cup, Hardik and Dubey enter the top five; who is in first place?

Hardik Pandya hit a 109-meter six, and Shivam Dube hit a 107-meter six against Namibia on Thursda

Delhi records its first cold day of 2026, intense cold wave and fog grip North India; snowfall continues in the hilly states.

Severe cold and cold wave conditions continue to grip North India. Dense fog prevails in the plai

PM Modi's Malaysia Visit: 'Strengthening defense cooperation and economic ties is the objective', PM Modi departs for Malaysia.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Malaysia on Saturday for a two-day visit. Before leavin

Devotees thronged to Haridwar on Makar Sankranti, taking a dip in the Ganges River amidst the biting cold.Devotees thronged to Haridwar on Makar Sankranti, taking a dip in the Ganges River amidst the biting cold.

In the holy city of Haridwar, a sea of ​​devotion surged today on the auspicious occasion of

Amit Shah: 'Saint Srimanta Sankardev had called for 'One India', which PM Modi is following,' Shah said in Assam.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Assam on a one-day visit on Monday, where he inaugurated