In a major move to promote fair access and curb misuse of the popular Tatkal ticket scheme, the Ministry of Railways has announced significant changes to the way Tatkal tickets will be booked, both online and offline.
Starting July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation’s (IRCTC) official website and mobile app.
The ministry issued a detailed circular on June 10, 2025, stating that the new rules are designed to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal scheme, which offers last-minute train travel options, reach genuine end-users and are not monopolized by touts or unauthorized agents.
The Tatkal scheme is a special ticket booking service by Indian Railways for passengers who need to travel at short notice.
-
Tickets can be booked one day before travel.
-
A higher fare is charged for Tatkal tickets.
-
Bookings open at 10 AM for AC and 11 AM for non-AC classes.
-
It is meant to help genuine travellers but is often misused by agents — which is why new Aadhaar and OTP rules are now being introduced to make it more transparent.
Key Changes Announced:
1️⃣ Aadhaar-Based Authentication for Online Bookings
-
From July 1, Aadhaar authentication will become compulsory for all users booking Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website or app.
-
In addition, starting July 15, OTP-based Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for each transaction. Passengers will have to verify their identity through a one-time password sent to the mobile number linked with their Aadhaar.
2️⃣ Mandatory OTP Authentication for Offline and Agent Bookings
-
From July 15, 2025, passengers booking Tatkal tickets at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters or through authorised railway agents will also be required to undergo OTP authentication.
-
An OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided at the time of booking and must be entered to complete the ticket purchase.
3️⃣ Restricted Booking Time for Agents
-
In order to prevent mass bookings by agents during the critical opening window of Tatkal booking, the ministry has imposed time restrictions for authorised agents:
-
For AC classes: agents will not be allowed to book tickets between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM on the day Tatkal bookings open.
-
For non-AC classes: agents cannot book between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
-
This 30-minute restriction is intended to give individual passengers priority access to Tatkal tickets when they first become available.
Why These Changes?
The Tatkal scheme was originally introduced to provide urgent travel options for passengers who need to travel on short notice. However, in recent years, concerns have grown about bulk bookings, agent misuse, and the sale of Tatkal tickets at inflated prices by touts.
By mandating Aadhaar-based identity verification and restricting agent access during the initial booking window, the Ministry of Railways hopes to make the system more transparent and ensure that ordinary passengers have a fair opportunity to secure these high-demand tickets.
What Passengers Should Do:
-
Link Aadhaar with your IRCTC profile well in advance of July 1 to avoid last-minute issues.
-
Keep your mobile number updated and accessible for OTP verification.
-
Be aware of new agent restrictions to avoid falling prey to inflated pricing or unauthorised agents.
The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been tasked with implementing the required system changes and notifying Zonal Railways and other stakeholders.
The Ministry of Railways has urged passengers to stay informed about these updates and prepare accordingly, as they move toward a more secure and passenger-friendly booking process.
source- PIB
