IRCTC Limits First-Day Bookings to Aadhaar Verified Users
Overview
Indian Railways has changed its online booking policy. Effective January 12, only Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users can book general reserved train tickets on the first day tickets open for advance reservation. This move aims to curb misuse by agents and prioritize genuine passengers during peak booking periods.
Stocks Mentioned
IRCTC Implements Aadhaar Mandate for Advance Ticket Bookings
Indian Railways has introduced a significant change to its online ticket booking system, restricting access on the first day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) to Aadhaar-authenticated Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) users only. This new rule went into effect on January 12.
Exclusive First-Day Access
Under the revised policy, passengers whose IRCTC accounts are linked and verified with their Aadhaar number will have exclusive online booking rights for general reserved tickets from 8 am to midnight on the opening day of ARP. This aims to democratize access to tickets, which are often quickly cornered by unauthorized agents and automated booking tools.
Non-Aadhaar Users and Other Bookings
Passengers who have not authenticated their IRCTC accounts with Aadhaar can still book reserved tickets online, but only from the second day of the ARP, subject to seat availability. The new rule specifically targets online general reserved ticket bookings on the ARP's first day and does not affect bookings made at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations, which continue to require valid identification. It is also important to note that Tatkal bookings already had restrictions related to Aadhaar authentication in place previously.
Rationale Behind the Change
Railway authorities stated that the primary objective of this measure is to combat the prevalent misuse of the booking system by agents and bots. By requiring Aadhaar authentication, the system intends to ensure that tickets are primarily booked by genuine individual passengers, thereby improving the fairness of the booking process during high-demand periods.
Passenger Guidance
Passengers who regularly book tickets as soon as reservations open are strongly advised to link and authenticate their Aadhaar details with their IRCTC accounts. This step is crucial to avoid any disruption and ensure they can continue booking tickets without issues under the new regulations.
