IRCTC Prioritizes Aadhaar-Verified Users for First-Day Advance Ticket Bookings

IRCTC has introduced significant changes to its online ticket booking system, restricting first-day advance reservation period bookings to Aadhaar-verified users starting Friday, December 29. The new policy represents the first phase of IRCTC's booking reform initiative designed to prioritize genuine passengers over ticket agents.

Phased Implementation Timeline

The railway authority has structured the rollout across three distinct phases with progressively extended booking windows for verified users:

Phase	Effective Date	Booking Window	Duration
Phase 1	December 29	8 am to 12 pm	4 hours
Phase 2	January 5	8 am to 4 pm	8 hours
Phase 3	January 12	8 am to 12 am	16 hours

The exclusive booking window applies specifically to the first day of the Advance Reservation Period, when demand typically peaks as passengers secure tickets for popular routes and travel dates.

Scope and Limitations

These restrictions affect only online ticket bookings through IRCTC's website and mobile application platforms. Manual ticket booking procedures at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters remain unchanged, continuing to accept valid identification documents without Aadhaar verification requirements.

IRCTC, the government-owned entity that manages catering, online ticketing, and tourism services for Indian Railways, has positioned this initiative as part of broader efforts to ensure legitimate passenger access to railway services.

Previous Authentication Measures

IRCTC previously implemented Aadhaar verification requirements for its Tatkal booking scheme in June, restricting last-minute ticket reservations to authenticated users only. The railway ministry stated this measure aimed to curb misuse and ensure genuine passengers benefit from the service rather than commercial agents.

Additional System Improvements

Beyond booking restrictions, Indian Railways has revised its chart preparation timing, finalizing reservation charts 10 hours before scheduled departure time compared to the previous 4-hour window. This enhancement provides passengers greater certainty about seat confirmation without requiring last-minute station visits to verify booking status.

The comprehensive reforms reflect Indian Railways' systematic approach to improving service delivery while maintaining equitable access for verified passengers across its extensive network. These changes are expected to help curb agent misuse and prioritize genuine passengers in the ticket booking process.

1 Day	5 Days	1 Month	6 Months	1 Year	5 Years
+1.34%	+2.24%	+1.54%	-10.40%	-11.92%	+140.43%

IRCTC has reported a robust performance for the second quarter, with profit after tax (PAT) rising 11% to Rs. 342.00 crores. The company's revenue from operations grew by 7.71% to Rs. 1,146.00 crores, driven by strong performances across its internet ticketing, catering, and tourism segments.

Financial Highlights

Metric	Q2	YoY Growth
Revenue from Operations	1,146.00 crores	7.71%
Profit After Tax (PAT)	342.00 crores	11%
EBITDA	404.00 crores	8.31%
EBITDA Margin	35.25%	20 bps

Segment-wise Performance

Internet Ticketing

Revenue: Rs. 386.00 crores (4% YoY growth)
EBITDA margin: 85% (improved from 81% last year)
89.24% of total reserved tickets booked through IRCTC's online platform

Catering

Revenue: Rs. 520.00 crores (8% YoY increase)
EBITDA margin: 13% (stable compared to last year)

Rail Neer

Revenue: Rs. 91.00 crores (4.6% YoY growth)
EBITDA margin: 10% (stable)

Tourism

Revenue: Rs. 150.00 crores (20.97% YoY growth)
EBITDA margin: Improved to 7% from negative margin last year

Strategic Developments

IRCTC has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for its payment aggregator business. The company plans to submit its final application for acquiring the license by the end of January.

The company is also focusing on expanding its digital capabilities through a unified travel portal, which aims to provide comprehensive travel solutions and cross-sell products to existing and new customers.

Operational Updates

Total tickets booked during Q2: 13.55 crores
UPI share in transactions: 49.81%
Convenience fee revenue: Rs. 252.00 crores
AC ticketing share: 6.75 crores tickets
Non-AC ticketing share: 6.80 crores tickets

Future Outlook

IRCTC is optimistic about sustaining its growth trajectory in the coming quarters. The company is exploring new opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and value-added services, while also focusing on enhancing operational efficiency across its business verticals.

The management expects the payment aggregator business and the unified travel portal to be significant drivers of future growth. Additionally, IRCTC is venturing into the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) event segment, targeting government and semi-government organizations.

With its strong financial position and strategic initiatives, IRCTC appears well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for digital travel solutions and diversified services in the Indian market.