IRCTC makes Aadhaar authentication mandatory for morning online train bookings
_vb_92.jpeg)
New Delhi: Indian Railways has introduced a new rule requiring Aadhaar authentication for online train ticket bookings made during morning hours on the IRCTC platform.
According to the Railways Ministry, the measure aims to ensure that reservation benefits reach genuine passengers and to curb misuse by touts and other fraudulent entities.
Effective October 28, 2025, only users whose Aadhaar details are verified will be allowed to book tickets between 8 AM and 10 AM on the first day of opening for reserved ticket bookings. This rule applies to both the IRCTC website and its mobile application.
The Ministry clarified that there will be no change in the timings for booking general reserved tickets through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. It further stated that authorised ticketing agents will remain barred from booking tickets during the first 10 minutes of the opening of general reservation to prevent misuse.
This step follows a similar move made last month when the Railways made Aadhaar verification mandatory during the first 15 minutes of general reservation booking through IRCTC.
In addition, earlier this year, Aadhaar-based authentication was also made compulsory for booking Tatkal tickets through IRCTC. During the initial 30 minutes of the Tatkal booking window, authorised agents are not permitted to make bookings, a rule aimed at preventing large-scale bulk reservations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Minister Patil inaugurates Amazon’s Corporate Office in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries M B Patil on Monday inaugurated Amazon’s newly constructed, fully equipped 11 lakh sq ft corporate office near Yelahanka here.
Built on a five-acre site approximately 15 kilometres from Kempegowda International Airport, Amazon said this is its second largest office in Asia.
The 12-storey campus will support over 7,000 employees across ecommerce, operations, payments, technology, and seller services in India, Amazon said in a statement.
Patil said this is Amazon’s 10th corporate office in the state. The company, which has shared a two-decade association with Karnataka, plans to invest USD 35 billion in India over the next four years.
"This investment is expected to support 15 million small businesses and generate lakhs of employment opportunities. Karnataka will receive a significant share of this investment," the minister said after inaugurating the new office.
The minister pointed out that Karnataka has an annual per capita income of over Rs 3.80 lakh, ranking highest in the country.
According to him, the state also stands second in annual GST contributions to the national exchequer, contributing Rs 1.6 lakh crore. Bengaluru has climbed to the 21st position globally in the Global Innovation Index and is the only Indian city to feature among the top 30 in the Tech-Cities Index.
Last year, the city recorded 14.6 million square feet of industrial leasing, the highest in the country, he said.
Of the 900 Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, nearly 35 per cent are located in Karnataka, he added.
In a statement issued by the minister's office, Patil said the state also leads in infrastructure required for e-commerce operations, with warehousing capacity of 42.48 lakh tonne and 233 cold storage units. Correspondingly, e-commerce transactions in the state are growing at 11 per cent annually.
To further promote industrial growth, projects such as dedicated freight rail corridors, multimodal logistics parks, dry ports and truck terminals have been planned. Patil urged Amazon and other global companies to leverage Karnataka’s industry-friendly ecosystem by enhancing their investments in the state, manufacturing here and exporting to global markets.
According to Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India, "India continues to be a long-term priority for Amazon, and Bengaluru has played a central role in our journey here. Over the years, the city has been home to some of our earliest technology and business teams, and today it remains a key hub for innovation and talent."
