Indian Railways Extends IRCTC Advance Booking Window For Aadhaar‑Linked Users
As per Indian Railways, Aadhaar-verified users will be able to book reserved train tickets from 8 AM to 4 PM on the first day of the reservation period.
Indian Railways is introducing significant updates aimed at enhancing the travel and ticket booking experience for passengers in 2026. One of the major updates is the expansion of the ticket booking window for users linked with Aadhaar. This initiative is part of a phased approach designed to reduce the problem of ticket fraud and ensure that genuine travelers have fair access to train tickets.
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Effective January 5, 2026, Aadhaar-verified users will be able to book reserved train tickets from 8 AM to 4 PM on the first day of the reservation period. Previously, this window was restricted to just 8 AM to 12 PM. This new schedule follows a decision made on December 29, 2025, as part of Indian Railways' ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and curb misuse of the online ticketing system.
Indian Railways Announces That Aadhaar-Verified Users Can Now Book Tickets Till 4 PM
In an announcement, IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) noted that this extended booking time applies only on the first day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP). Non-Aadhaar users can only start booking tickets after 4 PM on the same day.
The implementation will occur in three phases. Phase 1, initiated on December 29, allowed bookings from 08 AM to 12 PM. Phase 2 expands this to 4 PM with Phase 3, slated for January 12, 2026, proposes to extend Aadhaar users’ booking window to 24 hours a day.
These changes aim to enhance the overall booking experience while reducing the opportunities for unfair practices. The booking procedure remains unchanged at computerized PRS counters, according to IRCTC.
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Yogita Chainani is the website content head for unstumbled and has previously served as the social media head for CurlyTales Middle East. She has collaborated with brands such as PinkVilla, Connector, TopSpots Dubai, Thatscoop, and several other publications in the food and travel space. An avid traveler, Yogita is on a quest to explore the world, one country and city at a time. She studied journalism at IIJNM Bangalore and HR College in Mumbai. With her strong expertise in travel guides,...
