Indian Railways made big changes in ticket booking system

Indian Railways: The Indian Railways has recently introduced a significant change in the online ticket booking system, primarily focused on Aadhaar authentication to curb misuse and ensure fair access for genuine passengers during peak hours.

Here are the new rules and changes, effective recently:

1. Mandatory Aadhaar Authentication for Peak Booking Hours:

This is the biggest recent change, implemented to prevent agents and touts from making bulk bookings during the critical initial booking window.

Time: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM        

Applicable for: General Reserved Tickets (on the first day of reservation opening)

New Rules: Only Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users can book tickets during this two-hour window.

Time: First 30 Minutes

Applicable for: Tatkal Tickets (for both AC and Non-AC) 

New Rules: Only Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users are allowed to book.

To book tickets online right when the reservation window opens (which is 120 days in advance) or for Tatkal, your IRCTC user profile must be linked and verified with Aadhaar. If not, you can only book tickets after the peak-hour window closes (i.e., after 10:00 AM).

2. Stricter Rules for Waitlisted Passengers:

Waitlisted Tickets: Passengers with purely Waitlisted tickets are not allowed to travel in reserved coaches (Sleeper or AC).

Penalty Violators found traveling on a Waitlisted ticket in a reserved coach will face a fine and will also have to pay the full fare for the journey.

3. Updated Luggage Rules & Penalties:

The Railways is enforcing the baggage limits more strictly, especially in high-demand trains.

AC First Class – 70 kg – Fine up to six times the standard luggage rate.

Sleeper Class – 40 kg – Fine up to six times the standard luggage rate.

Passengers are advised to pre-book any luggage exceeding the free limit to avoid heavy penalties.

4. Other Clarified Rules:

Priority for Lower Berths: Senior citizens, women aged 45 and above, and pregnant women get priority for lower berths in the computerized reservation system, subject to availability at the time of booking.

Agent Booking Restrictions: Authorized agents are generally restricted from booking reserved tickets during the first 10-30 minutes of the general and Tatkal opening windows to ensure priority for individual passengers.

These changes are aimed at increasing transparency, reducing fraudulent bookings by touts, and ensuring that genuine passengers have a fairer chance to secure confirmed seats.

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