Indian Railways has implemented a significant change to its online ticket booking system, restricting first-day advance reservations to Aadhaar-verified users only. The new rule, effective from January 12, represents a major shift in how passengers can access tickets during peak demand periods.

New Booking Restrictions Take Effect

IRCTC has now limited online booking of general reserved tickets on the opening day of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) exclusively to Aadhaar-authenticated users. This means passengers whose IRCTC accounts lack Aadhaar verification will no longer have access to online bookings on the crucial first day when tickets become available.

The restriction applies specifically to the period from 8:00 AM to midnight on the opening day of ticket sales. During this window, only users with verified Aadhaar authentication can access the IRCTC website or mobile application for booking purposes.

Impact on Different Booking Categories

The new policy creates distinct access tiers for different user categories:

Exemptions and Unchanged Services

Several booking categories remain unaffected by the new restrictions:

• Tatkal bookings: Already required Aadhaar authentication prior to this change
• PRS counter bookings: Continue operating normally at railway stations with valid identification
• Offline reservations: No changes to existing procedures

Railway's Strategic Objectives

Railway authorities have positioned this change as a measure to address systemic booking issues. The primary targets include:

• Agent misuse: Preventing bulk bookings by unauthorized ticket agents
• Automated systems: Blocking software tools that secure multiple tickets instantly
• Genuine passenger priority: Ensuring individual travelers have fair access during peak periods

The Advance Reservation Period typically experiences the highest demand, particularly for long-distance and popular routes, where tickets often sell out within minutes of release.

Passenger Action Requirements

Passengers who regularly book tickets on opening day should take immediate steps to comply with the new system:

Essential Steps for Continued Access

• Link Aadhaar number to existing IRCTC account
• Complete the authentication verification process
• Ensure account status shows as Aadhaar-verified before booking attempts

Those who fail to complete Aadhaar verification will need to wait until the second day of the booking period, when general access resumes. However, ticket availability may be significantly reduced by that time, particularly for popular routes and travel dates.

Implementation Timeline and Scope

The restriction specifically targets the most competitive booking window - the first day of the Advance Reservation Period when demand typically exceeds supply. This strategic timing suggests Railways aims to balance accessibility with fraud prevention, maintaining open access for most of the booking period while securing the critical opening hours for verified users.

The policy represents part of broader digitization efforts within Indian Railways, leveraging Aadhaar's verification capabilities to create a more controlled and transparent booking environment for millions of daily passengers.

Source: https://www.cnbctv18.com/travel/destinations/irctc-new-ticket-booking-rule-indian-railways-changes-aadhaar-verified-users-jan-12-ws-l-19819137.htm

IRCTC has received a GST Order-In-Original from tax authorities, resulting in a financial demand of ₹3.05 lakh related to alleged non-compliance for the financial year 2018-19. The company disclosed this development on December 31, 2025, under SEBI listing regulations.

GST Order Details

The Assistant Commissioner of Central Goods and Service Tax Commissionerate Delhi South issued the order on December 30, 2025. The order pertains to alleged non-payment of GST liability under the reverse charge mechanism for FY 2018-19.

Financial Impact Breakdown

The total demand of ₹3.05 lakh comprises equal components of tax liability and penalty imposed by the department.

Company's Position

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited has indicated that while the financial exposure of ₹3.05 lakh has arisen due to the liability determined by the department, the penalty component specified in the order is litigative in nature. The company stated that this penalty can be contested before the appellate authorities within the stipulated timelines as provided under the law.

Regulatory Compliance

The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. Company Secretary and Compliance Officer Suman Kalra signed the disclosure document, ensuring compliance with mandatory reporting requirements for listed entities.

The order relates to the reverse charge mechanism under GST, where the recipient of goods or services is liable to pay tax instead of the supplier in certain specified circumstances.