Railways Announces New Rules for Tatkal Tickets

The Ministry of Railways has announced a significant update to the Tatkal ticket booking system, introducing Aadhaar-based OTP authentication as a mandatory requirement for online bookings. Starting from 1st July, only users who have authenticated their IRCTC account with Aadhaar will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets online via the IRCTC website or app.

This move aims to promote fair and transparent access to Tatkal tickets and to protect the interests of genuine passengers, especially during high-demand periods. The ministry stated that these changes are part of ongoing efforts to streamline the booking process and eliminate misuse of the Tatkal quota.

Further tightening the system, the Railways has clarified that from 15th July, all Tatkal bookings—whether made online, at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, or through authorised agents—will require OTP verification. The OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided at the time of booking, ensuring an additional layer of user verification.

To discourage bulk or automated bookings during the crucial initial minutes of Tatkal ticket availability, authorised Indian Railways ticketing agents will be barred from booking tickets during the first 30 minutes of the Tatkal window. This restriction applies to AC classes from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM, and to non-AC classes from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

The Ministry emphasized that these new measures are designed to enhance transparency and fairness in the Tatkal booking system and ensure that the benefits reach the intended individual travelers. To support this transition, the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been directed to carry out the necessary system upgrades and to inform Zonal Railways and relevant departments for smooth implementation.