Planning to book a last-minute train ticket? 🚂
Indian Railways has just rolled out major changes to the Tatkal ticket booking system – and if you’re someone who often books these urgent travel tickets, you need to be aware.
Starting July 1 to July 15, 2025, Aadhaar OTP verification will be mandatory for all Tatkal bookings, both online and offline. These new rules aim to make the ticketing process more transparent, reduce fraud, and give genuine passengers a fair chance.
Here’s everything you need to know about the updated rules and how they affect you:
🚄 What Are Tatkal Tickets?
Tatkal tickets are Indian Railways’ fast-track solution for travellers who need to book train tickets on short notice. Bookings open one day before the date of the journey, and they’re available for both AC and non-AC classes.
Due to extremely high demand, Tatkal tickets often get snapped up within minutes. That’s why these new guidelines are being implemented – to reduce misuse and ensure fairness in the booking process.
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🆕 Key Changes to Tatkal Booking Rules (Effective July 2025)
1️⃣ Aadhaar Verification Becomes Compulsory (From July 1, 2025)
To curb fake or bulk bookings, Indian Railways now requires Aadhaar number linking for all online Tatkal bookings on the IRCTC platform (website/app).
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You must have your Aadhaar linked to your IRCTC account to book a Tatkal ticket online.
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This ensures that every booking is tied to a genuine, verified individual.
2️⃣ Aadhaar OTP Authentication at the Time of Booking (From July 15, 2025)
Taking security a step further, Indian Railways will implement OTP-based Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal bookings from July 15, 2025.
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You’ll receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on your mobile number linked to Aadhaar.
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The booking will only be confirmed once this OTP is verified.
✅ This step applies to online bookings, railway ticket counters, and authorised agents.
3️⃣ Aadhaar OTP Required at Railway Counters & Agents Too
Whether you’re booking online, at a PRS counter, or via an agent – you’ll need to:
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Provide your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
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Enter the OTP received on your phone to complete the ticket booking.
This makes Aadhaar OTP verification mandatory across all channels for Tatkal bookings starting mid-July.
4️⃣ Agents Face Time Restrictions for Tatkal Booking
To give individual users a better chance at getting a Tatkal ticket, Indian Railways has imposed time-based restrictions for authorised agents.
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AC Tatkal bookings: Agents cannot book tickets between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
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Non-AC Tatkal bookings: Agents cannot book tickets between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
⏳ This 30-minute window helps regular passengers avoid unfair competition from bulk-booking agents.
🔒 Why These Rules Matter
These new Tatkal booking regulations aim to:
- ✅ Eliminate touts and fake users from the system
- ✅ Make the booking process fairer for last-minute travellers
- ✅ Improve ticketing transparency and accountability
- ✅ Enhance security with Aadhaar-based checks
📲 What You Should Do Next
To prepare for the upcoming changes:
- Link your Aadhaar to your IRCTC account immediately.
- Update your mobile number with Aadhaar to ensure you receive OTPs.
- Avoid booking via agents during restricted hours for a smoother experience.
How to link Aadhaar to your IRCTC account:
- Go to IRCTC’s website and log in.
- Open ‘My Account’ → Select ‘Authenticate User’.
- Enter your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID.
- Click ‘Verify Details and Receive OTP’.
- Enter OTP, agree to permissions, and hit ‘Submit’.
🚆 Final Thoughts
From July 1 to July 15, 2025, Aadhaar-based OTP verification becomes the new normal for Tatkal ticket bookings across India. Yes, it adds an extra step – but it also adds trust, fairness, and better access for genuine passengers.
So, make sure you’re ready:
- Aadhaar linked?
- Mobile number updated?
- Booking window remembered?
Great – you’re all set to travel smarter, safer, and stress-free with Indian Railways.
Happy journeys! 🌧️🚂
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