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.
