Aadhaar-Authenticated IRCTC Users Can Now Book Tickets Till Midnight

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 09:58 IST

IRCTC updates train ticket booking rules: from January 12, only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book general reserved tickets online till midnight on ARP opening day.

The IRCTC on January 5 changed the rules for booking tickets online stating that passengers without a verified Aadhaar card may face issues and struggle to get a confirmed ticket.

If you plan to book train tickets online, this update from IRCTC is important. The train ticket booking window for Aadhar-authenticated IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) users will now be open till midnight.

“w.e.f 12 January 2026, only Aadhaar-authenticated users shall be allowed to book general reserved tickets on the opening day of Advance Reservation Perion(ARP)," IRCTC said in a statement.

Previously, the Aadhaar-authenticated users could book reserved tickets only between 8am and 12pm on the opening day of the booking window. It was later extended to 4pm.

However, there will be no change in the procedure of booking tickets across the computerised PRS counters.

The IRCTC on January 5 changed the rules for booking tickets online stating that passengers without a verified Aadhaar card may face issues and struggle to get a confirmed ticket.

Under the new rules, users who have completed Aadhaar verification can book tickets up to 60 days in advance. If Aadhaar is not verified, you will not be able to book tickets during this period.

“Aadhaar verification of users is an important step which has been taken to make the system more robust. Cutting-edge technology is also being used to identify and prevent unscrupulous users trying to misuse the e-ticketing system," the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.

According to railways, the move aims to ensure that the benefits of the reservation system reach genuine passengers and prevent misuse by touts or other unscrupulous elements.

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