Tatkal Booking Rules Tightened: Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory on IRCTC from July 1
In a significant move aimed at curbing misuse and ensuring fair access to Tatkal tickets, the Indian Railways has announced a set of new rules that will come into effect from July 2025. The changes focus on tightening user authentication and restricting agent access during the crucial booking window.
Key Highlights of the New Tatkal Booking Guidelines:
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Aadhaar Authentication for Online Tatkal Tickets (From July 1, 2025):
Tatkal tickets booked via the IRCTC website or mobile app will only be available to users whose accounts are Aadhaar-authenticated. This is intended to ensure bookings are made by genuine individuals and not automated systems or bots. -
Mandatory OTP-Based Authentication (From July 15, 2025):
Starting July 15, Aadhaar-based OTP verification will be compulsory for all Tatkal bookings—whether online, at PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters, or through authorised agents. This applies to both general and Tatkal tickets booked at PRS. -
Booking Time Restrictions for Agents:
To prevent mass bookings by agents, the first 30 minutes of Tatkal booking will be restricted exclusively to individual users.-
For AC classes, agents cannot book between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
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For non-AC classes, the restriction applies from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
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The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been directed to implement these changes and notify all zonal railways and departments accordingly.
The Ministry of Railways has urged passengers to link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC accounts to avoid last-minute issues and ensure smooth ticket booking. These changes are part of ongoing efforts to make the ticketing process more transparent, fair, and accessible to genuine travellers.
