IRCTC has announced a significant change in its board composition with the cessation of Shri Manoj Kumar Gangeya as Part-time Government Director. The change became effective from January 16, 2026, following an official Railway Board order.

Board Composition Change

The directorate change stems from Railway Board's Order No. 2026/E(O)II/5/2 dated January 12, 2026. Under this order, Shri Manoj Kumar Gangeya (DIN: 09744752), IRTS, relinquished his charge as Executive Director (Planning) at Railway Board effective January 16, 2026 (forenoon).

Regulatory Compliance

The company has fulfilled its disclosure obligations by informing both major stock exchanges about this board change. The announcement was made pursuant to Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, which mandates listed companies to disclose material events and information.

Communication Details

The official communication was issued on January 16, 2026, bearing reference number 2019/IRCTC/CS/STEX/356. Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Suman Kalra signed the disclosure document on behalf of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited.

Corporate Structure Impact

As a Navratna company under the Government of India, IRCTC maintains a structured board composition that includes government-appointed directors. The cessation of Gangeya's position represents a routine change in the company's governance structure, typically occurring when officials transition between different government roles and responsibilities.

The company has completed all necessary formalities regarding this directorate change and has ensured proper communication to stakeholders through official stock exchange channels.

IRCTC has significantly expanded its exclusive online booking window for Aadhaar-verified users, extending the privilege from 8:00 AM to midnight on the opening day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP), effective January 12, 2026. This marks the fourth phase of a policy designed to combat ticket touting and ensure genuine passengers have better access to train reservations.

Policy Evolution and Implementation Timeline

The exclusive booking window has undergone systematic expansion since its introduction in October 2025. The policy evolution demonstrates Railway's commitment to gradually increasing benefits for verified users while monitoring the system's effectiveness.

The Railway Board communication emphasized that the scope of Aadhaar-authenticated booking is being expanded "up to 0000 hours of the day in a phased manner" to ensure benefits reach genuine passengers effectively.

Key Features and Restrictions

The extended window applies exclusively to online bookings through IRCTC's website and mobile application. Physical counter bookings at PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters remain unaffected, with existing timings and procedures continuing unchanged. During the exclusive window, only passengers with Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC accounts can book general reserved tickets online.

Authorized agents and non-Aadhaar verified users face restrictions during this period but can resume online bookings after midnight or book through physical counters without limitations. The policy specifically targets online platforms where tout-driven misuse was most prevalent, according to Railway officials.

Aadhaar KYC Process and Benefits

To access the extended booking window, passengers must complete Aadhaar KYC verification on their IRCTC accounts. The process involves logging into the account, navigating to "My Profile," selecting the Aadhaar KYC option, entering the Aadhaar number, and validating it through OTP sent to the registered mobile number.

IRCTC has clarified that Aadhaar verification does not provide additional quotas or relax existing limits on tickets per user ID or monthly booking caps. The advantage lies purely in timing access during high-demand periods.

Impact on Ticket Booking Ecosystem

Railway officials report that similar Aadhaar-based restrictions implemented for Tatkal bookings significantly reduced misuse and automated ticket blocking. The Financial Express quoted Railway Board communications highlighting that Aadhaar authentication helps track suspicious booking patterns and discourage bulk reservations by unauthorized agents.

The policy aims to level the playing field for ordinary passengers competing against sophisticated booking systems operated by touts, particularly for popular trains where seats typically vanish within minutes of opening. IRCTC's existing restrictions on simultaneous logins and monthly booking limits continue to operate alongside the new Aadhaar-based priority system.

Operational Guidelines

The updated policy maintains all basic reservation rules, including ARP duration and offline booking procedures. Non-verified users retain access to general reserved tickets after the exclusive window closes or through traditional counter bookings. For Tatkal reservations, Aadhaar-based OTP verification remains mandatory for all online bookings.

The implementation represents Railway's broader strategy to modernize the booking system while protecting genuine passengers from unfair competition during peak booking periods.

Source: https://www.goodreturns.in/news/irctc-aadhaar-booking-exclusive-window-for-verified-users-011-1481178.html