From July 2025, no Tatkal Railway ticket booking without Aadhaar authentication
The Ministry of Indian Railways has made several vital changes in the Tatkal ticket booking rules to enhance transparency in preventing misuse and ensuring fair access and chances of Tatkal booking for genuine passengers. The changes apply to ticket bookings done at both the IRCTC platform and PRS counters.
The Major Updates:
Aadhaar authentication for online bookings at IRCTC platform, OTP verification at reservation counters and first 30 minutes booking restrictions for authorized agents.
Also Read: Struggling with Tatkal Ticket Booking on IRCTC? Here’s What You Can Do for Confirmed Ticket.
The Ministry of Railways has requested all passengers to be aware of these major updates and encouraged everyone to ensure that Aadhaar is linked to their IRCTC user profile to avoid inconvenience.
Aadhaar Authentication for Online Tatkal Booking
Tatkal tickets booked through IRCTC's official website and mobile app will be accessible only to those who have successfully authenticated with Aadhaar till July 1, 2025. This means that passengers will have to link their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC user profile and successfully verify it to be able to book Tatkal tickets online.
Starting July 15, 2025 for online Tatkal Ticket bookings, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication is mandatory.
System-based OTP authentication of counter bookings and agents
From July 15, 2025, additional verification through OTP (One-Time Password) authentication will be required for all Tatkal tickets booked through Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and authorized railway agents. The OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided in the Reservation Form at the time of booking.
Booking time restriction for authorized agents
To ensure fair access to Tatkal tickets for regular passengers, Indian Railways has imposed time restrictions on authorized ticketing agents during the initial phase of Tatkal booking.
Under the new rules declared by railway, authorized agents will not be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window on the day Tatkal booking opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new rules for tatkal booking?
1. Tatkal tickets booked through IRCTC's official website and mobile app will be accessible only to those who have successfully authenticated with Aadhaar till July 1, 2025.
2. From July 15, 2025, additional verification through OTP (One-Time Password) authentication will be required for all Tatkal tickets booked through Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and authorized railway agents.
3. Authorized agents will not be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window on the day Tatkal booking opens.
.Can Tatkal be done 2 days before? Is there any Changes?
No, There is no change. As per existing norms, Tatkal train ticket booking can only be done one day before the date of the train departure from the origin station.
.For Booking Tickets in IRCTC is Aadhar Based OTP mandatory?
Yes, from 15th July 2025, Aadhar Based OTP is mandatory for booking tickets in IRCTC.
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