Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory for Tatkal Bookings
In a major overhaul of railway ticketing norms, the Indian Railways has announced that Aadhaar authentication will become mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets starting July 2025. The move is aimed at curbing misuse of the high-demand quota and ensuring equitable access for genuine passengers.
Aadhaar-Based Authentication from July 1
Beginning July 1, 2025, all Tatkal bookings made through the IRCTC website or mobile app will require Aadhaar-authenticated user accounts. This means only users who have completed the Aadhaar linking and verification process with their IRCTC profile will be allowed to book tickets in the Tatkal category. This is a critical step towards reducing bot-driven and proxy bookings that crowd out ordinary passengers.
OTP Verification from July 15
From July 15, 2025, an additional security layer will come into effect. All Tatkal bookings—whether made online, at PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters, or through railway agents—will require OTP-based Aadhaar verification. A one-time password will be sent to the mobile number linked with the user’s Aadhaar card, which must be entered to proceed with the booking. This measure is expected to significantly deter impersonation and fraudulent bookings.
Agent Access Curbed During Peak Booking Hours
To ensure that common users get a fair shot at securing Tatkal tickets, the Railways has also introduced booking window restrictions for agents. Effective from July 1:
- AC class Tatkal tickets: Agents will be barred from booking between 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- Non-AC class Tatkal tickets: Agents will be barred from booking between 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
This restriction creates a half-hour priority window for the general public before agents can enter the system.
Drive Against Misuse and Technical Readiness
The reforms come in the wake of an internal crackdown, where over 24 lakh IRCTC accounts were suspended for misuse and another 2 lakh flagged for suspicious activity. To support this transition, Indian Railways has instructed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to update their booking infrastructure accordingly.
Authorities expect that these reforms will lead to greater transparency and restore public trust in the Tatkal booking system, which has long faced complaints of manipulation by booking agents and technical exploits.
