Train Ticket Booking Timings to Change from February 2026: Indian Railways has introduced important updates to train ticket booking rules in 2026, mainly focusing on timing changes, Aadhaar verification, and stricter booking controls. These changes are designed to improve transparency, reduce misuse by agents or bots, and give genuine passengers a fair chance to book tickets.
Why Train Ticket Booking Timings Are Changing
The railway booking system has faced long standing issues such as tickets selling out within seconds and misuse by automated booking tools. To solve this problem, Indian Railways has introduced structured booking hours and mandatory identity verification.
Officials aim to improve system stability, reduce server overload, and ensure tickets are booked by genuine travellers instead of agents or fake accounts.
New Train Ticket Booking Timing Overview
| Booking Category | New Timing |
|---|---|
| General Reserved Ticket Booking | 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
| Aadhaar Priority Booking Slot | 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM |
| Tatkal AC Ticket Booking | 10:00 AM |
| Tatkal Non AC Ticket Booking | 11:00 AM |
| Advance Reservation Opening Time | 8:00 AM |
| Booking System Shutdown for Maintenance | Around late night hours |
The updated schedule standardises booking hours and restricts late night booking activity.
New Rule for Aadhaar Verified Users
A major change in 2026 gives priority booking access to passengers who have linked Aadhaar with their IRCTC accounts. Aadhaar verified users receive exclusive booking access during the first day of ticket reservation opening.
From 2026, verified users can book tickets from 8:00 AM until midnight on the opening day of the advance reservation period. Non verified users may need to wait until the exclusive window ends or until seats remain available.
Universal Booking Window Introduced
Indian Railways has introduced a structured booking window allowing ticket reservations mainly between 8:00 AM and 11:00 PM. This rule applies to most reserved ticket categories including Sleeper and AC classes.
Earlier, passengers could attempt bookings during irregular hours, which created uneven system usage. The new system distributes booking activity more evenly and reduces server congestion.
Changes in Advance Reservation Period Rules
Advance reservation allows passengers to book tickets weeks before travel. The booking window typically opens at 8:00 AM on the first day of availability.
In recent updates, priority access during the opening day has been expanded for Aadhaar verified users. This gives them more time to complete bookings before general access is opened to all users.
Tatkal Ticket Booking Changes
Tatkal booking remains one of the most competitive ticket categories. The standard timing continues as follows:
- AC class Tatkal booking begins at 10:00 AM
- Non AC Tatkal booking begins at 11:00 AM
However, stricter verification rules have been introduced. Aadhaar linked accounts and OTP based verification are now required to reduce misuse and improve fairness.
OTP Verification and Security Rules
To prevent fraud and bulk bookings, passengers booking Tatkal tickets must complete OTP verification sent to their registered mobile number. This applies to both online bookings and reservation counters.
This system ensures that only genuine users can complete bookings and reduces automated ticket blocking.
Agent Booking Restrictions Introduced
To ensure fair booking opportunities, authorised railway agents are restricted from booking tickets during the first few minutes of Tatkal booking windows.
These restrictions help individual passengers compete fairly without losing tickets to bulk booking services.
PRS System Upgrade and Service Availability
Indian Railways has also upgraded its Passenger Reservation System to improve speed and reduce booking errors. During maintenance or system upgrades, booking services may remain temporarily unavailable during late night hours.
Once upgrades are completed, passengers can expect faster loading times and improved booking reliability.
Benefits of the New Booking Rules
The revised rules provide several advantages for passengers:
- Reduced ticket fraud and agent misuse
- Fair access to high demand ticket slots
- Improved system performance
- Better transparency in booking process
- Increased chances of genuine passengers getting confirmed tickets
These improvements aim to make train ticket booking smoother and more reliable.
What Passengers Should Do Before Booking Tickets
Passengers should complete Aadhaar verification on their IRCTC accounts to avoid booking restrictions. Keeping mobile numbers updated is also important because OTP verification is now mandatory for many ticket categories.
Booking tickets early and checking reservation opening dates can significantly improve confirmation chances.
Impact of New Rules on Travellers
The new booking structure may require passengers to plan travel in advance and complete verification processes before attempting bookings. While the rules introduce additional steps, they are expected to improve fairness and reduce last minute booking stress.
Passengers who frequently travel using Tatkal or early reservation systems will benefit most from linking Aadhaar and preparing booking details in advance.
Final Thoughts
The revised train ticket booking timings from 2026 mark a major shift in Indian Railways reservation policy. By introducing fixed booking hours, Aadhaar verification, and improved digital security, the railway system aims to create a more transparent and passenger friendly booking experience.
Travellers who stay informed and complete account verification will have a better chance of securing confirmed tickets under the new booking rules.