Tatkal Ticket Booking Rules to Change from July 1: Aadhaar Now Mandatory for IRCTC Users
From July 1, 2025, Aadhaar linking becomes mandatory for Tatkal bookings on IRCTC; OTP verification and agent restrictions also apply.
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Starting July 1, 2025, the Ministry of Railways is implementing a significant change in the Tatkal ticket booking process to curb misuse and enhance transparency. Passengers booking Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC platform will now be required to complete Aadhaar authentication.
Key Changes to Tatkal Booking System
1. Aadhaar Linking Becomes Mandatory
From July 1, only users who have successfully linked their Aadhaar number to their IRCTC account will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets online. This measure aims to prevent unauthorized bookings made through bots and touts.
2. OTP-Based Aadhaar Authentication from July 15
An additional layer of security will be implemented starting July 15. Users will need to authenticate their identity with a one-time password (OTP) sent to their Aadhaar-registered mobile number for every Tatkal booking. This ensures that only the rightful account holder can complete the transaction.
3. Restrictions for Agents
To give genuine travelers a fair chance at booking, IRCTC agents will be restricted from making Tatkal reservations during the first 30 minutes of the booking window:
AC classes (1A, 2A, 3A): Agents barred from booking between 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM.
Non-AC classes (SL, 2S): Agents barred from booking between 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
These steps are designed to reduce mass block bookings and improve access for individual passengers.
How to Link Aadhaar to Your IRCTC Account
To continue booking Tatkal tickets from July onwards, users should complete Aadhaar verification as follows:
Log in to your IRCTC account.
Go to ‘My Account’ and click on ‘Authenticate User’.
Enter your Aadhaar number or Virtual ID.
An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Enter the OTP and complete the authentication process.
Once verified, a confirmation message will be displayed.
Adding Aadhaar-Verified Passengers to Master List
To speed up the booking process, IRCTC also allows users to pre-add frequent travelers to a Master List:
Navigate to ‘My Profile’ > ‘Master List’.
Enter the passenger’s name, DOB, gender, and Aadhaar number.
Choose ‘Aadhaar Card’ as ID proof and submit.
The status will initially show as pending but will update upon successful verification.
Why These Rules Are Being Introduced
According to railway officials, these new guidelines are part of a broader push toward a more transparent, secure, and user-friendly ticketing system:
To prevent misuse by touts and automation tools.
To ensure real-time access to emergency tickets for genuine last-minute travelers.
To support the Digital India initiative through verified online governance.
These reforms are expected to significantly improve the fairness and efficiency of Tatkal ticket booking, benefitting millions of train travelers across the country.
