Indian Railways has introduced significant updates to the Tatkal ticket booking system to improve transparency, prevent misuse, and ensure fair access for genuine travelers. These changes include mandatory Aadhaar authentication for online bookings, OTP verification at reservation counters, and restrictions on authorized agents during peak booking hours.
The Ministry of Railways has advised passengers to link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC profiles to avoid inconvenience.
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Aadhaar Authentication for Online Tatkal Bookings
Starting July 1, 2025, passengers booking Tatkal tickets online through IRCTC’s website or mobile app must complete Aadhaar authentication. This means travelers must link and verify their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC account to access Tatkal bookings.
Additionally, from July 15, 2025, Aadhaar-based OTP verification will become compulsory for all online Tatkal reservations. This step aims to reduce fraudulent bookings and ensure tickets reach genuine passengers.
OTP Verification at Reservation Counters and for Agents
Beginning July 15, 2025, Tatkal tickets booked at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters or through authorized railway agents will require OTP authentication. This extra layer of security ensures that only verified users can complete bookings, minimizing unauthorized transactions.
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Booking Time Restrictions for Authorized Agents
To give regular passengers a fair chance, Indian Railways has imposed time restrictions on authorized agents during the initial Tatkal booking window. Agents will be barred from booking Tatkal tickets in the first 30 minutes of the opening slot.
For AC class tickets, agents cannot book between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM. For non-AC classes, the restriction applies from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM. This measure aims to prevent bulk bookings by agents and improve ticket availability for individual travelers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Tatkal Tickets on IRCTC
Passengers must log in to the IRCTC website (https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/train-search) using their username and password.
Travelers should input their departure and destination stations, date of journey, and preferred travel class.
In the quota dropdown menu, passengers must choose the Tatkal option. The system will then display available trains for the selected route.
After selecting the desired train and class, passengers should click the "Book Now" button to proceed.
Travelers must provide names (limited to 16 characters), age, gender, berth preference, and food choices for each passenger. A mobile number must be entered for booking confirmation alerts.
Passengers must enter the verification code and click "Continue" to proceed to the payment page.
The system displays ticket details, total fare (including GST and convenience fees), and berth availability. After verifying, passengers should click "Continue" to proceed to payment.
Travelers can choose their preferred payment gateway and click "Pay & Book" to complete the transaction.
Upon successful payment, a confirmation page appears, and a Virtual Reservation Message (VRM) is sent via SMS to the registered mobile number.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, from July 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication is compulsory for online Tatkal bookings. OTP verification will also be required from July 15, 2025.
No, agents are restricted from booking Tatkal tickets in the first 30 minutes of the booking window for both AC and non-AC classes.
Passengers can link their Aadhaar by logging into their IRCTC profile and updating their details in the "Aadhaar KYC" section.
OTP verification ensures that only genuine passengers can book Tatkal tickets, reducing fraudulent transactions.
No, these updates apply only to Tatkal bookings. Regular ticket reservations remain unchanged.
Conclusion
Indian Railways’ new Tatkal booking policies aim to enhance fairness and curb misuse. Passengers are encouraged to complete Aadhaar authentication early to avoid last-minute hassles. These measures will help streamline the booking process and ensure tickets are available for genuine travelers.
