From July 1, Aadhaar Authentication Will Be Mandatory for Tatkal Ticket Booking: Railways Issues New Guidelines

By Editor in Chief On Jun 12, 2025

In a significant move to enhance transparency and ensure fair access to railway services, the Ministry of Railways has issued new directives regarding the Tatkal ticket booking scheme

. As per an official circular dated June 10, 2025, the Ministry announced that starting July 1, 2025, only passengers who have completed Aadhaar-based authentication will be allowed to book tickets under the Tatkal quota through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or mobile application.

This decision, according to the ministry, has been taken to safeguard the interests of the general public and ensure that the advantages of the Tatkal scheme are made available to genuine travelers, rather than being exploited by intermediaries or unscrupulous agents.

The directive emphasizes that the move is designed “to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal Scheme are received by the common end users.”

OTP-Based Aadhaar Verification to Follow

Taking a step further in securing the booking process, the ministry stated that beginning July 15, 2025, Aadhaar-based OTP (One-Time Password) verification will become compulsory for Tatkal ticket bookings, both online and offline.

Under this new regulation, passengers booking Tatkal tickets either through the IRCTC platform or through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and authorized railway agents will need to verify their identity by entering an OTP sent to the mobile number they provide at the time of booking.

This system-generated OTP will be sent via SMS and must be authenticated by the user to successfully complete the booking process.

The ministry noted that this added layer of verification is aimed at eliminating fraudulent practices, curbing bulk bookings, and ensuring that genuine passengers have a fair chance to secure tickets, especially during peak travel seasons.

Booking Restrictions for Authorized Agents

The circular also introduced specific time-based restrictions on authorized ticketing agents for Tatkal bookings. These agents will no longer be permitted to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the designated Tatkal booking window. The time-based restriction has been detailed as follows:

For air-conditioned (AC) classes, agents will be restricted from booking tickets between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
For non-air-conditioned (non-AC) classes, the restriction will apply between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.

This measure is intended to prevent early access monopolization by agents and allow individual users a fair opportunity to book their tickets directly during the crucial initial window.

Implementation and Awareness Measures

To implement these changes effectively, the Ministry of Railways has directed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to make all necessary technical modifications in their systems to facilitate Aadhaar authentication and OTP verification.

The updated mechanisms must be integrated seamlessly into both online and counter-based booking systems.

Moreover, to ensure that the traveling public is well-informed about these upcoming changes, the ministry has assured that widespread publicity will be conducted using various communication platforms, including traditional media, social media, railway announcements, and official websites.

The circular concluded by emphasizing the government’s commitment to bringing transparency, reducing misuse of railway schemes, and ensuring a smoother, more reliable travel experience for all passengers.