Train Tickets Online Booking: Indian Railways changed rules

Train Tickets Online Booking: As Indian Railways has implemented significant changes, especially concerning online train ticket booking, which came into effect from July 1, 2025. Train Tickets Online Booking: Indian Railways changed rules.

These changes primarily aim to curb malpractices, enhance transparency, and improve the overall booking experience.

Key new railway rules that change online train ticket booking:

1. Mandatory Aadhaar Authentication for Tatkal Tickets: This is the most significant change. From July 1, 2025, Only users who have successfully authenticated their IRCTC account with Aadhaar are able to book Tatkal tickets online via the IRCTC website and mobile app. This means you must link your 12-digit Aadhaar number with your IRCTC profile and verify it.

From July 15, 2025: Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will become mandatory for all Tatkal bookings, whether done online (IRCTC website/app), at computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, or through authorized agents. The OTP will be sent to the mobile number registered with your Aadhaar.

Purpose: This measure is specifically designed to combat the use of automated tools and agents making bulk bookings, ensuring genuine passengers have a fairer chance at securing Tatkal tickets. Indian Railways has deactivated millions of suspicious accounts in recent months as part of this drive.

How to link Aadhaar with your IRCTC account (if you haven’t already):

1. Go to www.irctc.co.in or open the IRCTC app.

2. Log in to your IRCTC account.

3. Navigate to ‘My Profile’ and then select ‘Aadhaar KYC’.

4. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.

5. Verify using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

At least one passenger on the ticket must be Aadhaar-verified. You can add Aadhaar-verified passengers to your “Master List” under ‘My Profile’ to speed up the booking process.

2. Restrictions on Authorized Agents for Tatkal Bookings:

From July 1, 2025: Authorized Indian Railways ticketing agents are not permitted to book opening-day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window.

For AC classes: Agents cannot book between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.

For Non-AC classes: Agents cannot book between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.

Purpose: This gives individual passengers a priority window to book Tatkal tickets directly.

3. Advanced Reservation Chart Preparation:

Indian Railways has decided to prepare reservation charts eight hours before a train’s departure, instead of the previous four-hour window.

Purpose: This provides waitlisted passengers more time to receive updates about their ticket status and plan alternative travel arrangements if their tickets remain unconfirmed, especially beneficial for those traveling from distant areas. For early morning trains, charts will be prepared the previous night.

4. Upgraded Passenger Reservation System (PRS):

A new, modernized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) is being rolled out by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and is expected to be fully operational by December 2025.

Enhanced Capacity: This upgraded system will be capable of handling over 1.5 lakh (150,000) ticket bookings per minute (a fivefold increase from 32,000 tickets/minute) and processing over 4 million enquiries per minute (a tenfold increase from 4 lakh/minute).

User-Friendly Features: The new PRS will offer a multilingual and user-friendly interface, allowing users to specify seating preferences, view fare calendars, and integrate dedicated facilities for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities), students, and patients.

5. Minor Fare Revisions (Effective July 1, 2025):

There have been minor increases in basic passenger train fares for ordinary, Mail/Express, and premium trains.

No change for suburban fares and for second-class ordinary coaches for trips up to 500 km.

For longer distances, slight increases are implemented (e.g., 0.5 paisa/km for ordinary non-AC second class, sleeper, and first class; 1 paisa/km for Mail/Express non-AC classes; and 2 paisa/km for all AC classes).

Reservation fees, superfast surcharges, and GST rules remain unchanged.

These changes are part of Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to digitalize services, enhance efficiency, reduce fraudulent activities, and improve passenger convenience. If you plan to book train tickets online, especially Tatkal tickets, ensure your IRCTC account is Aadhaar-linked and you are aware of these new timings and verification procedures.

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