IRCTC Updates Booking Time: Indian Railways and IRCTC have introduced important changes to the train ticket booking process ahead of the 2026 travel year. These updates aim to make online bookings more transparent, reduce fraud, and give genuine passengers a better chance of getting confirmed tickets. Here’s what travellers need to know.
IRCTC Updates Booking Time Rules 2026 – Overview Chart
Below is a simple and clear overview chart to quickly understand the new IRCTC train ticket booking rules for 2026.
| Topic | Old Rule (Before 2026) | New Rule (From 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Online Booking Platform | IRCTC | IRCTC (same platform) |
| Advance Reservation Period (ARP) | 120 days before the journey | 120 days before journey (no change) |
| Priority Booking on ARP Day | All users same access time | Only Aadhaar-verified users get priority |
| Booking Start Time (ARP Day) | 8:00 AM for all users | 8:00 AM only for Aadhaar-linked accounts |
| Non-Aadhaar Users Booking | Allowed anytime | Allowed only after priority window |
| Priority Booking Window (Phase-wise) | Not applicable | 8 AM–12 PM → 8 AM–4 PM → 8 AM–12 Midnight |
| Aadhaar Linking | Optional | Mandatory for early booking |
| Booking via PRS Counter | Allowed | Allowed (no Aadhaar restriction) |
| Fake / Bot Accounts | High misuse | Crackdown, crores of fake IDs blocked |
| Reservation Chart Preparation | 4 hours before departure | Around 10 hours before departure |
| Main Purpose of Change | General booking | Fair booking, less fraud, more transparency |
What’s Changing in 2026
1. Aadhaar Verification Becomes Central
From December 29, 2025, only passengers with Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts can book reserved tickets online during designated hours on the first day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP). Non-verified users will be allowed to book outside this priority window.
This phased rollout includes:
- Dec 29, 2025: Priority booking for Aadhaar-verified users from 8 am to 12 noon on ARP opening day.
- Jan 5, 2026: Priority window expands to 8 am to 4 pm.
- Jan 12, 2026: Aadhaar-verified users can book from 8 am until midnight on ARP opening day.
Booking without Aadhaar online will not be permitted during these priority hours. These rules don’t apply to tickets purchased at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters.
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2. Fighting Fake Accounts and Bots
Railway officials say the main goal behind this change is to curb fake accounts and bulk bookings by agents using automation tools. About 3 crore fake IRCTC accounts have already been closed, and efforts are ongoing to deactivate more. Tying bookings to Aadhaar should help authentic users secure seats more fairly.
3. Longer Booking Time on ARP Day
Once fully rolled out, Aadhaar-verified users get a much longer booking window on ARP opening days. This extended access gives genuine travellers more time to secure seats, especially on popular routes and in high-demand periods.
4. Reservation Chart Timing Updates
Alongside booking windows, Indian Railways is adjusting reservation chart preparation times. Charts will now be prepared about 10 hours before train departure, helping passengers know their ticket status earlier and reducing last-minute rushes at stations.
Why These Changes Matter
Indian Railways handles millions of reservations every day. Before these changes, many genuine travellers missed out on tickets because automated tools or agents booked large numbers of seats within seconds of opening. By making Aadhaar verification central and adjusting booking windows, the system aims to make ticketing fairer and more predictable.
What Passengers Should Do
- Link your Aadhaar card to your IRCTC account well before making bookings.
- Log in early on ARP opening day if you want the best chance at popular trains.
- Remember that the new rules apply only to online bookings; PRS counters follow existing procedures.
These updates are part of broader reforms in rail travel services for 2026, including timetable updates and new facilities that Indian Railways is rolling out.
If you’re planning train travel next year, preparing your account and knowing these rules will make booking easier.
