Indian Railways has introduced significant changes to the Tatkal ticket booking system, effective from July 1, 2025. These new regulations aim to make the booking process more transparent, secure, and passenger-friendly. Let’s delve into the details of these changes.
New Regulations: A Quick Overview
The main changes introduced by Indian Railways for Tatkal ticket booking are as follows:
1. Aadhaar Card is Mandatory
From now on, linking your Aadhaar card with your IRCTC account is mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets online. If your account is not linked to Aadhaar, you will not be able to book a Tatkal ticket. This rule has been in effect since July 1, 2025. The primary objective is to prevent ticket booking using fraudulent identities and make tickets more accessible for genuine passengers.
2. OTP-Based Verification
To further secure the ticket booking process, an OTP (One-Time Password) based verification system is being implemented from July 15, 2025. This means that whenever you book a Tatkal ticket, whether online or offline (from a platform counter), an OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number. Your ticket will be confirmed only after you enter this OTP. This ensures that the correct individual is booking the ticket.
3. New Rules for Agents
It is often observed that agents book a large number of Tatkal tickets as soon as the booking opens, leaving regular passengers with no tickets. To address this issue, certain restrictions have been imposed on agents. According to the new rule, agents cannot book tickets for the first 30 minutes after the Tatkal booking window opens.
- For AC Classes: Agents cannot book tickets between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
- For Non-AC Classes: Agents cannot book tickets between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
This measure will provide more time and opportunity for the general public to book their tickets.
Important Advice for Passengers
- Link Aadhaar: Link your Aadhaar with your IRCTC account as soon as possible.
- Mobile Number: Ensure you provide a correct and active mobile number in your IRCTC account and during booking to receive the OTP without any issues.
- Be Aware of Timings: If you plan to book tickets through an agent, keep the new timings in mind.
These new rules are an effort to improve the Indian Railways ticketing system. Passengers should be aware of these regulations and prepare accordingly to avoid any last-minute inconveniences.
