Indian Railways has announced exciting updates for passengers booking tickets online through the IRCTC website and app.
The new changes aim to enhance convenience and flexibility for travelers, whether their user IDs are linked to Aadhaar or not.
{inAds}
Increased Monthly Ticket Booking Limits
Previously, IRCTC imposed restrictions on the number of tickets a user could book in a month. However, under the revised policy, these limits have been significantly relaxed.
Non-Aadhaar Linked IDs: Earlier, users without Aadhaar-linked accounts could book only six tickets per month. Now, this limit has been doubled to 12 tickets per month.
Aadhaar-Linked IDs: Users with Aadhaar-verified accounts previously had a cap of 12 tickets per month. With the new update, they can now book up to 24 tickets monthly, provided one passenger per booking is Aadhaar-verified.
This move is expected to benefit frequent travelers, families, and groups who rely on online bookings for their journeys.
Read Also: Namo Metro Extension to Buxar via Ara: A Boost for Bihar’s Commuters
Why the Change?
The Railway Board’s decision aims to streamline ticket booking and reduce inconvenience for passengers. By increasing the limit, Railways hopes to encourage more users to link their accounts with Aadhaar, ensuring better security and reducing fraudulent bookings.
Vipul Singhal, Director of Passenger Marketing at the Railway Board, has directed CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems) and zonal authorities to implement these changes swiftly. IRCTC has also been instructed to notify all registered users through emails, SMS alerts, and app notifications.
{inAds}
Advance Booking Window Reduced to 60 Days
In another significant update, Indian Railways has revised its advance booking window. Earlier, passengers could reserve tickets 120 days (4 months) before the journey. However, due to high cancellation rates and seat wastage, the window has been shortened to 60 days (2 months).
Reasons Behind the Change
High Cancellation Rates: Data revealed that 21% of tickets booked 120 days in advance were later cancelled, leading to seat blockages.
No-Show Passengers: Around 4-5% of travelers did not board their trains, causing unnecessary seat vacancies.
By reducing the booking window, Railways aims to optimize seat utilization and ensure more confirmed tickets for genuine travelers.
{inAds}
FAQs on IRCTC’s New Booking Rules
Previously, non-Aadhaar-linked accounts had a limit of six tickets per month. Now, the limit has been increased to 12 tickets per month.
Aadhaar-linked accounts enjoy a higher booking limit—24 tickets per month instead of 12. Additionally, one passenger per booking must be Aadhaar-verified.
The change was made to reduce cancellations and seat wastage, as many passengers booked tickets too early and later cancelled or did not show up.
No, Tatkal and Premium Tatkal bookings remain unaffected. These changes apply only to general advance reservations.
IRCTC will notify passengers through emails, SMS alerts, and app notifications to ensure everyone is aware of the new booking rules.
Conclusion
Indian Railways continues to enhance passenger convenience with these user-friendly updates. By increasing ticket booking limits and optimizing the advance reservation window, IRCTC aims to make train travel smoother and more efficient. Passengers are encouraged to link their accounts with Aadhaar to avail higher booking benefits and enjoy a hassle-free travel experience.
These changes reflect Railways’ commitment to adapting policies based on passenger behavior and improving overall service quality. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or an occasional commuter, these updates are designed to make your journey planning easier and more flexible.
