Reservation Counters and Booking through Common Service Centers (CSCs) and Agents
Indian Railways green lights re-opening of reservation counters & booking through Common Service Centers (CSCs) and Agents.
Zonal Railways have been instructed to decide and notify the opening of reservation counters in a phased manner tomorrow along with dissemination of information about their locations and timings as per local needs and conditions
Opening of booking centers will mark an important step in graded restoration of passenger railway services
New Delhi, 21st May 2025
Indian Railways is going to open reservation counters for booking of reserved tickets in a phased manner.
Zonal Railways have been instructed to decide and notify opening of reservation counters as per local needs and conditions. These reservation counters will open from tomorrow in a phased manner, along with dissemination of information about their respective locations and timings as per the local needs and conditions.
Indian Railways has also allowed booking of Reservation Tickets through the Common Service Centers and Ticketing agents w.e.f tomorrow.
It may be noted that running of Shramik Special trains will continue to be handled by local State Governments as per the existing protocols.
Opening of all these booking facilities once again will mark an important step in the graded restoration ofpassenger railway services and making the task of ticket booking easy for all prospective travelers from all parts of India in reserved trains.
Zonal railways may adhere to standard social distancing guidelines and observe the hygiene protocols in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s the latest official update on booking trains through PRS counters, Common Service Centers (CSCs), and authorised agents under the new Indian Railways rules (as of Mid‑2025):
Contents
🏛️ Booking Channels & Guidelines (Effective July 2025)
1. Tatkal Booking Rules at PRS Counters and Agents
- From 1 July 2025, Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for all Tatkal bookings—online, at PRS counters, and via authorised agents.
- From 15 July 2025, OTP-based Aadhaar verification is also required for Tatkal bookings through any channel, including CSCs/agents.
- Authorised agents are barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of quota opening each day:
- AC classes: 10:00–10:30 AM
- Non‑AC classes: 11:00–11:30 AM
This restriction applies to both PRS counters and agents.
📦 2. Booking through CSCs & Agents (Other than Tatkal)
- Advance Reservation Train (ARP) tickets, standard special/regular trains, and other scheme-based services (excluding Tatkal) can still be booked through CSCs and authorised agents.
- Standard rules apply:
- Advance Reservation Period: typically 60 days (FTQ: 365 days)
- Quota-based booking: including senior citizen, PWD, student concessions.
- Authentication required: Aadhaar linking for certain quotas or emergency services may be necessary.
- Agents continue to function as booking intermediaries for all non-Tatkal categories with no time restrictions.
✅ Booking Rules Summary
| Booking Channel | Booking Type | Authentication Required | Agent Restriction at Opening |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRCTC website / app | Tatkal | Aadhaar (from 1 Jul); OTP (from 15 Jul) | Agents banned first 30 mins |
| PRS Counter | Tatkal | Aadhaar + OTP (from 15 Jul) | Same as above |
| CSC / Authorised Agent | Non-Tatkal / ARP / Specials | Aadhaar may be required for quotas | No time restriction |
📎 Why These Changes Were Introduced
- To curb misuse, bot bookings, and bulk hoarding by agents and scalpers.
- To prioritise genuine passengers, particularly during critical Tatkal hours, by giving them a reservation window before agents.
- To leverage AI and anti-bot systems for secure and transparent booking experience.
📝 What You Should Do
- Link Aadhaar with your IRCTC account ahead of July 1 if you intend to book Tatkal tickets.
- Use the official IRCTC portal/app for Tatkal—agents can’t book in the first 30 min.
- For other reserved services (ARP, concessions, Emergency Quota), CSCs and authorised agents are still valid booking channels.
- Ensure your mobile number is active to receive OTPs for Tatkal booking.
- If using a CSC/agent, specify quota and concession clearly, and check IRCTC after 8 AM on the travel date for chart status.
Would you like help with:
- How to link Aadhaar to IRCTC account or agent credentials?
- Step-by-step process for booking through CSC or agent, especially for concessions or ARP booking?
- Understanding how these changes affect specific quotas (e.g. FTQ, disabled passengers)?
Happy to walk you through whichever booking scenario you’re planning!