New Delhi | 11 June 2025 — Starting July 1, passengers will only be able to book Tatkal train tickets using Aadhaar-authenticated accounts, the Ministry of Railways announced in a circular dated June 10. The move is aimed at curbing misuse and ensuring equitable access to the reservation system.
“To ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal scheme are received by the common end users, Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for bookings through the IRCTC website and mobile application,” the ministry stated.
Further tightening the process, Aadhaar-based OTP (one-time password) authentication will be made compulsory for all Tatkal bookings from July 15.
According to the ministry’s communication to all railway zones, “Tatkal tickets shall be available for booking through computerised PRS counters of Indian Railways or authorised agents only after authentication of a system-generated OTP, which shall be sent on the mobile number provided by the user at the time of booking.”
In a bid to prevent bulk or early access to high-demand Tatkal tickets, the ministry has restricted authorised ticketing agents from booking opening day Tatkal tickets during the initial 30 minutes of the window. Specifically, agents will not be allowed to book AC class tickets from 10:00 am to 10:30 am and non-AC class tickets from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.
The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have been instructed to update the booking system accordingly and coordinate with all zonal railways for smooth implementation.
The circular also noted that, “Necessary publicity through all available means shall be carried out to inform the general public about the upcoming changes in Tatkal booking rules.”
The Tatkal scheme is often the last resort for passengers seeking emergency travel, but it has long faced complaints of agent misuse and artificial scarcity. By linking the booking process to Aadhaar and adding another layer of authentication, officials say the revised system is expected to improve fairness and transparency.
