Aadhaar to become mandatory for Tatkal tickets on IRCTC from July 1

The Indian Railways said on Wednesday that it is tightening the rules around Tatkal booking, with Aadhaar authentication and OTP verification to become the norm from July 1, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Railways. The development comes days after Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister of Railways, said in a post on X that e-Aadhar authentication will become mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets.

Starting July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be able to book Tatkal train tickets on the IRCTC website and mobile app, the Ministry of Railways announced on Tuesday. This reform is aimed at tightening security, preventing misuse of the high-demand Tatkal scheme, and ensuring genuine passengers get a fair shot at these limited-availability tickets.

From July 15, an OTP-based identity verification step will become mandatory for all Tatkal bookings, including those made at PRS counters and through authorised railway agents, thereby extending the security net beyond digital platforms.

In a significant crackdown on potential bulk bookings, authorised agents will be barred from accessing the Tatkal booking window during its most critical phase. Specifically, for AC classes, agents cannot book tickets between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM. For non-AC classes, the ban applies from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM. This change is aimed at prioritising individual users and reducing the dominance of automated or agent-assisted bookings during the high-traffic window.

“The changes are designed to bring greater transparency and fairness into the Tatkal booking system,” the Railway Ministry said. Over the years, Tatkal bookings have faced scrutiny over alleged malpractices and agent manipulation. With the integration of Aadhaar and OTP-based authentication, Indian Railways hopes to build a secure and verifiable booking ecosystem.

The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been tasked with implementing the necessary system upgrades, and all zonal railways have been directed to ensure the smooth rollout of the new policies. The Ministry has also urged all passengers to link their Aadhaar numbers with IRCTC accounts ahead of the transition, to avoid last-minute disruptions.

Recently, a survey report by citizen engagement platform LocalCircles showed that seven out of 10 people found it difficult to book Tatkal tickets on the IRCTC platform in the last 12 months. The respondents also complained that all the tickets available for Tatkal were taken within the first minute of the booking window opening. Despite making payments quickly, most people ended up waitlisted.

The survey also revealed that over 30% of the surveyed travellers said they believed that the best way to get a tatkal ticket is through a travel agent, a strong indicator of a growing perception that third-party intermediaries are better positioned to navigate the otherwise difficult booking process, defeating the purpose of the system.

The Tatkal Reservation Scheme was introduced in 1997 to help passengers with urgent, unexpected travel plans by giving them access to an equitable, fast, and transparent ticketing system. Initially introduced in around 110 trains and limited mainly to Sleeper Class, the Tatkal scheme underwent a major revision in 2004.

However, complaints suggest the experience is far from that. Several passengers have reported on social media that the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or app frequently crashes during Tatkal bookings, or that payments are deducted without confirmation. Some questioned whether automated bots and agents are able to game the system, disadvantaging the average user.

Such concerns are not new. In 2015, a similar outcry led to a Ministry of Railways probe that found agents and some railway staff were blocking seats under fake names and later changing the details. That loophole was eventually closed. 

Indian Railways has seen significant revenue from Tatkal and Premium Tatkal fares, earning over ₹13,700 crore from these ticket categories between 2018-19 and 2022-23.