How to Link Aadhaar with IRCTC ID: Understand the Online Process or You Won’t Be Able to Book Tatkal Tickets from July 1
If you book train tickets yourself and have an account on the IRCTC website or app, make sure to link your Aadhaar card. This can be done online.
From July 1, Indian Railways is introducing a new rule for Tatkal ticket booking. According to this rule, you must link your Aadhaar card with your IRCTC account to continue booking tickets. Without this, you won’t be able to proceed with the booking. Additionally, starting July 15, an OTP linked to your Aadhaar number will be required during online Tatkal bookings. This move aims to curb the activities of agents who often block Tatkal tickets from reaching genuine passengers.
If you haven’t linked your Aadhaar yet, now is the time. The process is simple and can be done online. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
Benefits of Linking Aadhaar with IRCTC
According to IRCTC, users who link their Aadhaar can book up to 24 tickets in a month. In contrast, users without Aadhaar linkage can only book 12 tickets monthly. This is especially useful for families or groups traveling together, as one account can handle more bookings. Since this rule is coming into effect from July 1, it’s better to complete the linking process now.
Steps to Link IRCTC User ID with Aadhaar
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Open www.irctc.co.in on your phone or computer.
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Log in to your IRCTC account.
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Click on the MY ACCOUNT tab and select Authenticate User.
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Your profile details will appear on the screen.
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Enter your Aadhaar number or Aadhaar Virtual ID and click on Send OTP.
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You will receive an OTP on the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar. Enter it.
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Tick the checkbox after reading it, then click Submit.
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If authentication is successful, a confirmation message will appear. If not, you’ll need to try again.
Common Issues You Might Face
Some users may face issues if the name, date of birth, or address on their Aadhaar card doesn’t match the details in their IRCTC account. This mismatch can also cause problems while linking to the IRCTC wallet. Make sure that the information on both platforms matches. If needed, update your details in your IRCTC account. If updating isn’t possible, you may need to create a new user ID.
Even though most people now have an Aadhaar card, if someone doesn’t have one or needs to update it due to errors, they won’t be able to book Tatkal tickets until Aadhaar is successfully linked to their IRCTC ID.