In India, train travel remains a vital and popular mode of transportation, with millions booking tickets online via the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation ( IRCTC ). For frequent travellers, linking an Aadhaar card to an IRCTC account is not only beneficial but necessary. By completing this simple step, users can enjoy a host of advantages, including an increased monthly booking limit. Without linking your Aadhaar, IRCTC restricts bookings to six tickets per month, but once linked, this limit increases to 12 tickets.
This guide will walk you through the benefits of linking Aadhaar with IRCTC, the required documents, and the straightforward steps to ensure you can maximise your travel convenience.
Why Link Aadhaar to IRCTC?Linking your Aadhaar to your IRCTC account comes with key benefits, the most significant being the ability to book up to 12 tickets per month. For those who frequently travel for work or leisure, this increase from the standard six-ticket limit is crucial. In addition to this, Aadhaar linking can streamline the ticket-booking process by allowing you to save passenger details in a ‘Master List.’ This means no need to manually enter the same passenger information for every booking, making the process more efficient and user-friendly.
Furthermore, linking Aadhaar with IRCTC helps align with government initiatives that promote digitalisation and enhanced security in online transactions, ensuring safer and more transparent bookings.
How to Link Aadhaar with Your IRCTC Account: A Step-by-Step GuideLinking your Aadhaar to IRCTC is a simple, quick process that ensures you can fully enjoy the benefits of online train ticket bookings. Follow these steps to get started:
Step 1: Log into Your IRCTC AccountBegin by accessing your IRCTC account using your unique ‘User ID and password’ at the official e-ticketing portal, www.irctc.co.in.
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Master List’Once logged in, click on the ‘My Profile’ section and select ‘Master List’ from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Fill in the Passenger DetailsEnter the necessary passenger information, such as the name, date of birth, gender, berth preference, and other preferences like meal and senior citizen concessions.
Step 4: Aadhaar VerificationIn the section for ‘ID Card Type,’ select ‘Aadhaar card’ and input the 12-digit Aadhaar number in the designated field. After filling in all relevant details, click ‘Submit.’
Step 5: Verify the AadhaarThe system will automatically begin the Aadhaar verification process. Initially, the status will show as ‘Pending.’ After successful verification, the status will change to ‘Verified,’ allowing you to proceed with booking tickets for verified passengers.
Step 6: Complete Verification for All ‘Not Verified’ PassengersIf the Aadhaar verification shows as ‘Not Verified,’ you will need to click on the verification link and update the information if necessary. Re-enter the Aadhaar number to complete the process.
Documents Required for Aadhaar Linking
Having the necessary documents on hand will help expedite the linking process. Here’s a checklist of what you’ll need
- A valid IRCTC account (User ID and password).
- Your Aadhaar card or 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- Access to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar card, as a One-Time Password (OTP) may be required.
Having this information ready will streamline the linking process and reduce the chances of any delays.
Adding Aadhaar-Linked Passengers to Your Master ListOnce your Aadhaar verification is completed, you can easily add Aadhaar-linked passengers to your IRCTC Master List. This step saves you from manually entering passenger details every time you book a ticket. Here’s how to add passengers:Log in to your IRCTC account at www.irctc.co.in.In the ‘My Profile’ section, choose ‘Master List.’Enter the Aadhaar number, gender, and date of birth of the new passenger.Click on ‘Submit’ to save the passenger details in your Master List.Once passengers are added, you can select them directly from the Master List during future ticket bookings, making the process faster and more efficient.
Read More: Want to make UPI payments without internet? Follow these steps
Booking Tickets for Aadhaar-Linked Passengers
Booking tickets for passengers whose Aadhaar details are saved in the Master List is straightforward. Here’s how you can do itEnter your journey details, such as the origin, destination, and travel date.Select your preferred train and class.Click on ‘Select passenger from Master List’ during the booking process.Choose the Aadhaar-verified passengers you wish to book tickets for and proceed to payment.By following these steps, your ticket booking process becomes seamless, with passenger details already in place, ready to confirm the booking.
Why Linking Aadhaar to IRCTC Is EssentialFor frequent travellers, linking Aadhaar to an IRCTC account offers multiple advantages, from increased monthly ticket limits to a simplified booking process. By taking a few minutes to complete this linking process, passengers can save valuable time and ensure they never miss out on the opportunity to book extra tickets.
This system, backed by government initiatives, offers an added layer of security, transparency, and convenience for Indian Railways users. Whether you are a business traveller, a student, or someone who enjoys exploring India by train, linking your Aadhaar is a step towards a smoother and more efficient travel experience.
