Overview
- From December 29, Aadhaar-authenticated IRCTC accounts have exclusive access to book general reserved tickets from 8:00 to 12:00 on the Advance Reservation Period opening day, according to the Indian Express and Railway Board guidance.
- A Railway Board letter dated December 18 sets a phased expansion that ultimately extends the Aadhaar-authenticated window up to 00:00 hours on the opening day.
- CNBCTV18 reports the next phases will widen the exclusive window to 16:00 on January 5 and to 00:00 on January 12.
- News18 cites January 12 as the effective date for the revised update, reflecting differing reports on when the change takes full effect.
- Procedures at computerized PRS counters remain unchanged, and new guidelines state first reservation charts should be prepared by 20:00 for 05:01–14:00 departures and at least 10 hours in advance for other departure times.