If you are looking to know about the latest changes in train ticket booking, from January, 2026, the process of booking a train ticket on the very first day it opens for sale has changed for millions of passengers across India. Indian Railways has updated its online reservation rules to give priority access to travellers who have completed Aadhaar authentication on IRCTC. This change mainly affects bookings during the most competitive phase of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP), when ticket demand is at its highest.
For many years, the opening day of reservations has been a rush, especially on busy routes and during festival seasons, school holidays, and long weekends. Tickets often sell out within minutes, leaving many passengers on waiting lists. Under the new rule, Aadhaar-verified users get an expanded booking window, giving them the entire day to complete their reservations. While the policy aims to reduce misuse and automated bookings, passengers who are not Aadhaar-verified may face disadvantages if they do not prepare in advance.
Simple Guide to the Train Ticket Booking System
Indian Railways uses an Advance Reservation Period (ARP) that lets passengers book train tickets many days before their travel date. When the booking window opens, tickets for popular classes like AC and Sleeper get booked very fast because of high demand.Train tickets can be booked online through the IRCTC website or mobile app, while offline bookings are done at railway station counters using the Passenger Reservation System (PRS). To make booking safer and fair, Aadhaar authentication has been added over time to make sure real passengers are booking tickets and to reduce large-scale agent bookings.
Train Ticket Booking Rules Updated from January, 2026
The latest update affects only online train ticket booking made on the very first day of the Advance Reservation Period. Starting from January 2026, only IRCTC users who have completed Aadhaar verification are allowed to book general reserved tickets online on Day One. These verified passengers can book tickets from 8:00 am until midnight on the opening day. Travelers who have not completed Aadhaar authentication will not be able to book tickets online on the first day and will have to wait for the following days, based on seat availability.
Earlier, Aadhaar-verified users were allowed to book tickets only during limited time slots. Over time, these slots were increased. With the new rule, the booking time has now been extended to the entire day, clearly benefiting Aadhaar-verified passengers.
What Does Not Change in New Train Ticket Booking
Despite the update, several parts of the booking system remain the same:
- Tatkal ticket booking rules remain the same, and Aadhaar authentication is still mandatory for these bookings.
-
Offline ticket bookings at railway station PRS counters will continue as per existing ID requirements.
-
The overall duration of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) has not been changed.
How to Ensure Your IRCTC Account Is Aadhaar-Authenticated
To avoid missing out on early bookings, passengers should complete Aadhaar authentication in advance. The process is simple:
-
Log in to your IRCTC account using the website or mobile app.
-
Go to My Account and select Aadhaar authentication or profile verification.
-
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number correctly.
-
You will receive an OTP on the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.
-
Enter the OTP and submit the request.
-
Once verified, your profile will show Aadhaar authentication as completed.
Make sure your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active before starting the process.
Impact of New Train Ticket Booking Rules on Passengers
For regular train travelers, Aadhaar authentication has become necessary if you want to book tickets early without stress. Passengers with verified accounts get more time to book and have a better chance of getting confirmed seats, while those who delay verification may face limited availability or long waiting lists. The January, 2026 update has changed how first-day online bookings work, and with a full-day booking window for Aadhaar-verified users, planning in advance is now more important than ever.
FAQs: January 2026 Update – Changes in Train Ticket Booking Rules
-
What is the January 2026 change in train ticket booking?
From January 12, 2026, only Aadhaar-verified IRCTC users can book train tickets online on the first day when reservations open. -
Who can book tickets on the first day of the Advance Reservation Period?
Only passengers whose IRCTC accounts are Aadhaar-authenticated can book tickets online on Day One of the ARP. -
What time can Aadhaar-verified users book tickets on the opening day?
Aadhaar-verified users can book tickets from 8:00 am till midnight on the first day. -
Can non-Aadhaar-verified users book tickets online on the first day?
No, passengers without Aadhaar authentication cannot book tickets online on the first day and must wait for later days, depending on seat availability. -
Do these new train ticket booking rules affect Tatkal or counter bookings?
No, Tatkal booking rules and offline bookings at railway counters remain the same and are not affected by this update.
How to Book Meal on Train with RailRecipe
Along with confirmed train tickets, enjoying good food on train during your journey is also important. With RailRecipe, you can easily order fresh and hygienic meals on the train from trusted restaurants. Your food is delivered directly to your seat at the station. To order food on the train, simply download the RailRecipe Android app or iOS app, or call our toll-free number 8448440386 for a hassle-free meal booking experience.