New Delhi: Indian Railways has further expanded the ticket booking window for Aadhaar-linked IRCTC users as part of a phased rollout aimed at curbing the role of ticket touts and ensuring fair access for genuine passengers.

Under the revised rules, Aadhaar-authenticated users can now book reserved train tickets from 08:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs on the first day of the reservation period, with effect from January 5, 2026. Earlier, these users were permitted to book tickets only between 08:00 hrs and 12:00 hrs.

The move follows an earlier decision taken on December 29, 2025, and aligns with the broader policy framework of Indian Railways to enhance transparency and prevent misuse of the online reservation system by agents and middlemen.

In an official statement, IRCTC said the revised booking window applies exclusively on the first day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP). Non-Aadhaar-linked users will be allowed to book tickets only after 16:00 hrs on that day.

Railway officials clarified that the extended booking hours are being implemented in three phases to encourage Aadhaar authentication among users:

• Phase 1 (December 29, 2025): Aadhaar-linked users were allowed to book tickets from 08:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs.

• Phase 2 (January 5, 2026): The booking window has been extended from 08:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs.

• Phase 3 (January 12, 2026 – proposed): Aadhaar-authenticated users are expected to be allowed to book tickets from 08:00 hrs until 24:00 hrs (midnight).

Officials said the final phase will provide Aadhaar-linked users exclusive access to online bookings throughout the day, further reducing the scope for unfair practices.

Earlier, the absence of mandatory Aadhaar authentication had enabled agents and touts to make bulk bookings during peak hours, depriving genuine passengers of tickets. The tightened norms are expected to significantly reduce such exploitation and promote a more passenger-friendly booking experience.

There will be no change in ticket booking procedures at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, IRCTC clarified.

Applicability of the Rule

The revised booking window applies to tickets booked under the Advance Reservation Period (ARP). While Indian Railways earlier allowed bookings up to 120 days before a train’s departure, the ARP was reduced to 60 days in November 2024. As a result, passengers can now book tickets exactly 60 days prior to the date of journey. The first day of this booking window is referred to as the Opening Day.

Separately, Indian Railways reiterated its reservation chart preparation guidelines. For trains departing between 05:01 hrs and 14:00 hrs, the first reservation chart will preferably be prepared by 20:00 hrs on the previous day. For trains leaving between 14:01 hrs and 23:59 hrs, as well as those departing between 00:00 hrs and 05:00 hrs, the first chart will be prepared preferably at least 10 hours before departure. DeshGujarat