If you’re planning to travel on Indian Railways and are considering booking Tatkal tickets due to waitlisted reservations, you must be aware of some crucial updates. The Ministry of Railways has announced that starting July 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website and mobile app.
Additionally, from July 15, 2025, all online Tatkal bookings will also require an OTP for verification based on Aadhaar. This one-time password (OTP) will be sent to the mobile number registered during the booking process.
Aadhaar OTP To Be Implemented From 15 July
For Tatkal tickets purchased at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and through approved agents, OTP authentication will be implemented from July 15, ensuring the OTP is dispatched to the mobile number provided by the user at the time of booking.
To prevent misuse of the system, Indian Railways has implemented restrictions for authorised ticket agents, prohibiting them from booking Tatkal tickets during the first half-hour of the booking period. Specifically, agents are barred from booking tickets for air-conditioned classes between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM and for non-air-conditioned classes from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
The ministry has tasked the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC with making the necessary system updates and communicating these changes across all zonal railways. There will also be extensive publicity to ensure the public is informed about these new measures.
Why Is Aadhaar Mandatory For Tatkal Tickets
This step is part of a larger effort to stop the misuse of automated tools for booking tickets online. Over the last six months, the railways have disabled and blocked over 24 million accounts, and about 2 million more are being checked for suspicious behavior. These new systems are designed to make the booking system more reliable and efficient for passengers who need to travel immediately.
What Is An Aadhaar Card And Who Can Have One
Aadhaar is a 12-digit identification number that acts as proof of identity and address for Indian residents. Issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India, it is valid across the country.
Residents can obtain Aadhaar by enrolling once, and if duplicates occur, only one will be issued. The enrolment process is free for all. The Aadhaar number is unique and lifelong, enabling access to various services like banking and mobile connections.
Key features include online verification of personal information, elimination of duplicate identities, and a random format without any classification based on caste, religion, or geography.
