New Delhi: Indian Railways is tightening rules for Tatkal ticket booking. Starting July 2025, passengers will need Aadhaar authentication for online bookings on IRCTC. The government says it’s doing this to crack down on unfair bookings and help genuine passengers.

The Railway Ministry says the move will improve transparency and cut out the misuse of the Tatkal scheme. And yes, it will also change how agents operate. So, if you’ve been depending on agents or haven’t linked your Aadhaar to your IRCTC account yet, it’s time to act.

Aadhaar Backets Mandatary for Online Tatkal Bookings

From July 1, passengers booking Tatkal tickets through IRCTC’s website or app must be Aadhaar authenticated users. That means no Aadhaar, no online Tatkal tickets. Starting July 15, an extra layer will be added with OTP-based Aadhaar authentication becoming mandatory.

The Ministry wants all users to update their IRCTC accounts with Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers to avoid any trouble while booking. This change applies only to Tatkal bookings for now.

OTP authentication at counters and with agents

The new rules don’t just apply to online bookings. From July 15, even if you’re booking a Tatkal ticket at a PRS counter or through an authorised agent, you’ll need to verify your identity using an OTP sent to your registered mobile number.

This extra step is meant to stop bulk bookings or fake entries through agents or middlemen.

No Tatkal ticket bookings by agents in the first 30 minutes

To prevent agents from snapping up seats as soon as Tatkal opens, Indian Railways has also changed the booking timings for authorised agents. From July 1:

• Agents can’t book AC Tatkal tickets from 10:00 am to 10:30 am
• For non-AC classes, agents are barred from booking from 11:00 am to 11:30 am

That half-hour window will be reserved only for individual passengers booking directly.

Changes aimed at curbing misuse and protecting genuine users

These changes are being rolled out to make sure real travellers don’t lose out. “These changes are being implemented to improve transparency in Tatkal bookings and to ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach genuine end users,” said the ministry in an official statement.

CRIS and IRCTC have been instructed to update systems in time for the rollout. Zonal railways and departments have also been asked to start awareness campaigns so passengers aren’t caught off guard.

The bottom line: If you plan to book Tatkal tickets after July, make sure your IRCTC account is Aadhaar verified and your mobile number is up to date. Otherwise, you may miss the train, literally.