Indian Railways Reservation Update: Booking Time Extended for Aadhaar-Linked Accounts

by Jobuza Team | Jan 12, 2026 | BLOG, Trending News

Indian Railways has announced an important update for passengers booking train tickets through IRCTC. Starting Monday, January 5, 2026, the ticket booking time for Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users will be extended on the day the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) opens.

Earlier, on December 29, 2025, the Railways had revised the booking window for Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts. The latest change further expands this time period, giving verified users more flexibility while booking tickets.

According to Indian Railways, the move is aimed at ensuring that reservation benefits reach genuine passengers and to curb misuse of the system by touts and other unauthorised agents.

New IRCTC Ticket Booking Time for Aadhaar-Authenticated Users

In an official statement, IRCTC said that with effect from January 5, 2026, Aadhaar-authenticated users will be allowed to book reserved train tickets from 08:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs on the first day of the reservation window.

Until January 4, Aadhaar-verified users were permitted to book tickets only between 08:00 hrs and 12:00 hrs on the opening day of reservations.

This extension provides an additional four hours for Aadhaar-linked users to complete their bookings.

How Aadhaar Authentication Rules Evolved

Last year, Indian Railways made Aadhaar-based verification mandatory for booking reserved tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app during the first 15 minutes of the opening of general reservations.

The requirement was later extended to the morning hours, allowing Aadhaar-authenticated bookings between 08:00 hrs and 10:00 hrs on the opening day. Subsequently, on December 29, the booking window was expanded further, permitting Aadhaar-verified users to book tickets until 12:00 hrs.

The latest update now extends this window up to 16:00 hrs, making it the widest booking window so far for Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC users.

No Change in PRS Counter Booking Process

Indian Railways has clarified that there will be no change in the ticket booking procedure at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. The updated rule applies only to online ticket bookings made through the IRCTC website or app.

Updated Indian Railways Chart Preparation Timing

Indian Railways has also reiterated the latest guidelines regarding reservation chart preparation:

For trains departing between 05:01 hrs and 14:00 hrs, the first reservation chart will be prepared preferably by 20:00 hrs on the previous day.

For trains departing between 14:01 hrs and 23:59 hrs, as well as trains departing between 00:00 hrs and 05:00 hrs, the first reservation chart will be prepared preferably at least 10 hours before departure.

Passengers are advised to keep these timings in mind while checking seat availability and booking tickets.

Google Rolls Out Gmail Update Allowing Email ID Changes While Keeping Data Safe

by Jobuza Team | Jan 12, 2026 | BLOG, Trending News

Google has started quietly rolling out a long-awaited Gmail feature that finally allows users to change their @gmail.com email address without losing any data or account history. For years, Google maintained that a Gmail username, once chosen, was permanent. That stance has now changed.

With this update, users can select a new Gmail username within the same Google account, and all existing data will remain intact. This includes emails, contacts, Drive files, photos, calendar events, YouTube data, and app access.

Why This Update Is a Big Deal

Earlier, changing a Gmail address was a complicated and risky process. Users had to create a completely new Google account, manually forward emails, and attempt to migrate data like contacts, files, photos, and calendar events. Even then, there was no guarantee that everything would transfer correctly, making the process frustrating and error-prone.

Now, Google has simplified everything. Once the feature becomes available in your account, you can change your Gmail username directly from the settings, without re-entering personal information or moving data manually.

How the New Gmail Address Change Works

When the feature is visible in your account, you can find it by going to:

Google Account → Personal info → Email

From there, users can choose a new Gmail username, and the transition happens automatically within the same account. There’s no need to leave the Gmail settings screen, and no data migration is required.

Google’s support pages for this feature are already live and available in multiple languages, including Hindi, which suggests the rollout is already in early testing phases.

What Happens to Your Old Gmail Address

After changing your Gmail address, your old email ID will continue to work as an alias. This means:

• Emails sent to your old Gmail address will still be delivered to your inbox

• You can sign in to Google services using either the old or new email address

• All existing emails, files, contacts, photos, calendar events, and app access remain unchanged

In short, your digital life stays exactly where it is.

Important Limitations You Should Know

While this feature is extremely useful, there are a few restrictions:

• After changing your Gmail address, you cannot create another new Gmail address for one year

• Google allows only a limited number of Gmail address changes per account, likely around three to four changes over the account’s lifetime

• Google recommends backing up your data before making the change, as a general safety precaution

Google has not clarified whether these limits will vary by country or account type.

Why Changing a Gmail Address Matters Today

An email address is no longer just a way to send messages. It has become a core part of a person’s digital identity, used on resumes, business cards, job portals, banking services, and professional communication.

For users who chose a Gmail address years ago and have wanted to update it without starting over, this change is a major improvement. It reflects Google’s acknowledgment of how central Gmail accounts have become in everyday life.

As the rollout continues, more users will see this option appear in their accounts. We’ll update this information as Google shares more details about availability and rules surrounding Gmail address changes.