IRCTC ticket booking: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has made Aadhaar verification mandatory for online train ticket bookings. On Thursday, IRCTC said Aadhaar-based bookings are aimed at benefiting genuine passengers, making it easier for them to book Tatkal and Advance Reservation Period (ARP) tickets.

In a statement. IRCTC said: “To prevent misuse of the online booking system and curb potential fraudulent bookings in Tatkal ticket booking, the following measures have been implemented:

It further said that the introduction of Aadhaar-based verification has effectively prevented the creation and operation of unauthorized user accounts acting as a safeguard against misuse.  “…thereby ensuring fair allocation of Tatkal and tickets on the day of opening of Advance Reservation Period (ARP), significantly improving ticket availability for genuine passengers by enhancing transparency and reducing unfair booking practices,” it said.

IRCTC has introduced significant user interface (UI) enhancements on its rail-ticket-booking website http://www.irctc.co.in and the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile application. The move aims at providing a simplified, faster, and more intuitive ticket booking experience for railway passengers. Key enhancements include:

“IRCTC has strengthened systemic and administrative safeguards to curb misuse, prevent automated bookings through tools, and ensure fair access to Tatkal and Advance Reservation Period (ARP) tickets.,” it said.