New Delhi, Oct 1: In a significant move to enhance transparency and curb misuse of the railway reservation system, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced Aadhaar-based guidelines for the online booking of general tickets.

The new rules mandate Aadhaar verification for passengers booking general tickets online, aiming to prevent fraudulent practices by unauthorised agents and ensure that genuine travelers get fair access to railway services.

This initiative comes in response to growing concerns over ticketing scams and bulk bookings that often deprive ordinary passengers of timely reservations.

According to IRCTC officials, the Aadhaar-linked system will help authenticate user identities, reduce impersonation, and discourage the use of fake accounts.

Passengers will now be required to link their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC account and undergo a one-time verification process before booking general tickets.

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Railway authorities believe this step will streamline the ticketing process and reinforce the integrity of the reservation system. “This is a proactive measure to protect passengers and ensure equitable access to railway services,” said an IRCTC spokesperson.

The guidelines are being rolled out in phases, with full implementation expected by the end of the year. IRCTC has assured users that data privacy will be maintained in accordance with government norms.

Passengers are advised to update their IRCTC profiles and complete Aadhaar verification to avoid disruptions in booking services.