Indian Railways is extending the booking window for Aadhaar-verified users on the IRCTC platform. Starting December 29, 2025, these users will have exclusive access to book general reserved tickets from 8 am to 12 pm on the first day of the Advance Reservation Period. This window will be further expanded in phases, aiming for 8 am to midnight access by January 12, 2026. The move aims to prioritize genuine passengers and reduce the influence of agents. Manual bookings at reservation counters remain unchanged.