Indian Railways: The Ministry of Railways has extended the train booking window for Aadhaar-authenticated Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) users on the opening day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP).
This change by Railways is likely to be rolled out in a phased manner. The move is aimed at ensuring that the countless advantages of the reservation system reach genuine passengers, while curbing misuse by touts and other unscrupulous elements.
Indian Railways Reservation Time
Previously, Indian Railways had made Aadhaar-based verification mandatory for booking reserved train tickets through the IRCTC website or app during the first 15 minutes of the opening of general reservations.
The department later extended Aadhaar authentication to the morning hours – from 8 AM to 10 AM – on the first day of reserved ticket booking.
Now, it has extended the window up to 12 midnight (00:00 hours) in a phased manner.
In a letter dated December 18, 2025, addressed to all Principal Chief Commercial Managers (PCCMs), the Railway Board said: “In continuation of the earlier instructions issued regarding requirement of Aadhaar authenticated IRCTC account for booking of General reserved tickets on the opening day of Advance Reservation Period (ARP), it has been decided to expand the scope of Aadhaar authenticated booking for general reservation on the opening day of reservation up to 0000 hours of the day in a phased manner.”
