IRCTC Aadhaar Mandate 2026: Why You’re Locked Out of Online Booking and How to Fix It (Step-by-Step Guide)

Booking a confirmed train ticket on the very first day of the reservation opening just became a privilege exclusive to Aadhaar-verified users as Indian Railways implements its most significant digital crackdown on ticket touting to date.

The New “16-Hour Lockdown” Rule Explained

Starting January 12, 2026, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has enforced the final phase of its Aadhaar-priority booking system. Under the new mandate, only users with Aadhaar-authenticated accounts are permitted to book general reserved tickets online between 8:00 AM and 12:00 Midnight on the opening day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP).

This means if you are looking to book a ticket for a journey 60 days from now (the current ARP limit), and your account is not Aadhaar-linked, you will effectively be locked out of the online system for the entire first day of sales.

Why the Change? Eliminating Bots and Touts

The Ministry of Railways has been transparent about the intent behind this “phased rollout.” The primary objective is to level the playing field for genuine individual travelers. For years, unauthorized agents and sophisticated automated software (bots) have cornered thousands of berths within seconds of the 8:00 AM opening bell.

By requiring a one-to-one link between an IRCTC ID and a verified Aadhaar biometric identity, the system makes it nearly impossible for a single tout to operate hundreds of fake IDs. To date, the Railway Board has already deactivated or suspended over 5.73 crore suspicious or inactive user accounts as part of this integrity drive.

Deep Dive: The Phased Implementation Journey

The transition to a mandatory Aadhaar-priority system was not overnight. It followed a deliberate roadmap to allow passengers time to adapt:

October 2025: Aadhaar mandatory for the first 15 minutes of booking.
December 29, 2025: Window extended from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.
January 5, 2026: Window extended further to 4:00 PM.
January 12, 2026: The current “Full Day” mandate (8:00 AM to Midnight).

Impact on Tatkal and Counter Bookings

It is vital for passengers to distinguish between general and Tatkal bookings under these new rules:

Tatkal Bookings: Since July 2025, Aadhaar-based OTP verification has already been mandatory for all online Tatkal bookings. There is no further change here, but the enforcement has become stricter.
PRS Counters: If you prefer booking at a physical station counter, the “16-hour priority window” does not apply. However, counters now require an Aadhaar-linked mobile number to receive an OTP before a transaction can be completed.

Benefits of Aadhaar Authentication: More than Just Priority

While many see the new rules as a restriction, verified users enjoy significant perks that non-verified users do not:

Increased Monthly Limits: Aadhaar-verified users can book up to 24 tickets per month, provided at least one passenger on the ticket is also Aadhaar-verified. Non-verified users remain capped at 12 tickets.
Faster Checkout: Verification allows for a smoother integration with the IRCTC e-Wallet, which is often the fastest payment method during the “opening rush.”
Enhanced Security: It prevents identity theft and unauthorized use of your IRCTC profile.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Link Your Aadhaar with IRCTC (2026)

To ensure you aren’t locked out of the next big holiday booking cycle, follow these steps to verify your account today:

Phase A: Verifying the Account Holder

Log in to the official IRCTC e-Ticketing website or the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
Navigate to the ‘My Account’ tab on the top dashboard.
Select ‘My Profile’ and then click on ‘Aadhaar KYC’.
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar Number or Virtual ID.
Click on ‘Send OTP’. A code will be sent to the mobile number registered with UIDAI.
Enter the OTP and click ‘Verify’. Your status will update to “Aadhaar Verified” with a green tick.

Phase B: Verifying Frequent Passengers (Master List)

To avail of the 24-ticket monthly limit, you must also verify the passengers you frequently travel with:

Go to ‘My Account’ > ‘My Profile’ > ‘Add/Modify Master List’.
Provide the passenger’s name, DOB, and gender exactly as they appear on their Aadhaar card.
Select ‘Aadhaar’ as the ID type and enter their number.
Click ‘Submit’. Once the status shows “Verified,” you can select them from the dropdown during the booking process to bypass the 12-ticket limit.

Financial Context: Fare Hikes and ARP Adjustments

This policy change comes on the heels of two other major shifts in Indian Railways.

First, the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) was slashed from 120 days to 60 days in late 2024 to discourage long-term hoarding.

Second, a marginal fare revision took effect in late December 2025. While suburban and season tickets (MST) remain untouched, long-distance mail and express trains saw a hike of roughly 1–2 paise per kilometer. For example, a 500km journey in a non-AC class now costs approximately ₹10 more than it did last year.

Summary of the New Landscape (Table)

Feature	Aadhaar-Verified User	Non-Verified User
ARP Day 1 Access	8:00 AM – Midnight	Access starts Day 2 (or after Midnight)
Monthly Ticket Limit	24 Tickets (with 1 verified passenger)	12 Tickets
Tatkal Access	Full Access (Online/App)	Restricted/Counter Only
Counter Booking	Possible (with OTP)	Possible (with OTP)

Final Verdict: Is it Fair?

While the transition may be frustrating for those with outdated mobile numbers linked to their Aadhaar, the move is a necessary evolution for a digital India. By restricting the highest-demand window to verified humans, the Railways is ensuring that a “Confirmed” status is based on who clicks first, not who has the best bot.

Senior Editor’s Note: If you haven’t linked your Aadhaar yet, do it during non-peak hours (10:00 PM to 6:00 AM) to avoid server lag on the UIDAI/IRCTC bridge.