The Indian Railways has announced an important update for passengers who book Tatkal tickets. Starting December 1, 2025, the Western Railway has made OTP verification mandatory for all Tatkal bookings. This new step has been introduced to make the process more secure and transparent for passengers. 🚂
In this blog, we explain what the new rule means, why it has been introduced, and how it will affect travellers.
What Is the New Tatkal Booking Rule?
From December 1, 2025, anyone booking a Tatkal ticket must enter a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their registered mobile number.
Without this OTP, the ticket will not be issued. Having said that, the mobile number linked to the IRCTC account must be active during the booking process.
Why Has the OTP Rule Been Introduced? 🚂
The Tatkal system often gets misused by agents and brokers who use fast software or bulk booking tools to grab high-demand seats instantly. Because of this, many genuine passengers struggle to get their train tickets.
The OTP-based verification has been introduced to:
- Stop bulk booking by agents
- Ensure that only the real passenger approves the booking
- Add a security layer to the Tatkal process
- Make ticketing more transparent and fair
Railway officials believe this will reduce fraud and allow real passengers to get a better chance at seats.
Where Will the New Rule Start?
The OTP rule will first be launched on the:
Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express (12009/12010)
Western Railway will monitor how the system performs on this route. After a successful trial, the OTP requirement will be added to more trains across the network in the coming months.
What Should Passengers Keep in Mind? 🚂
- Keep their mobile phones active while booking
- Ensure their registered mobile number is updated
- Enter the OTP quickly, as Tatkal seats get filled fast
- Be prepared that bookings may fail if the OTP is delayed or incorrect
How to Link Aadhaar with your IRCTC account: 👇
Click here to link your Aadhaar with your IRCTC account on Paytm and follow the steps below:
- After clicking on the above link, you’ll reach the Paytm Aadhaar Link page
- Click on ‘Link Now’ and log in to your IRCTC account
- Enter user name, password and captcha to sign in
- Go to My Account and then tap on Authenticate user
- Enter Aadhaar Number and verify using OTP
- Accept terms and tap Submit
Conclusion 🚂
The new OTP-based Tatkal booking rule is a major step taken by Western Railway to make ticketing more secure and fair for everyone. By linking bookings directly to a passenger’s mobile number, the railways aim to reduce misuse and offer a smoother Tatkal experience.
Passengers are advised to keep their contact details updated.
Book your train tickets in advance for your upcoming train trips to avoid last-minute waitlist.
