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Indian Railways is introducing a major change to the Tatkal train ticket booking system. Starting July 1, 2025, passengers will need to complete Aadhaar authentication to book Tatkal tickets. The Railway Ministry announced this on June 10, 2025, to make sure the benefits of the Tatkal scheme reach real users and to reduce misuse of the system.
New Rules for Tatkal Bookings
From July 1, only those passengers whose Aadhaar is verified can book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app. And starting July 15, an extra step of Aadhaar-based OTP (One-Time Password) verification will be added during booking. This step is meant to make the booking process more secure and trustworthy.
This move is part of Indian Railways' bigger plan to make ticketing more transparent, smooth, and user-friendly. By confirming each user's identity through Aadhaar, the aim is to stop illegal bookings and ensure genuine passengers get tickets.
Booking Time Restrictions
The new rules also include a restriction on booking by authorised railway agents. They will no longer be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window. For air-conditioned classes, agents cannot book between 10:00 am and 10:30 am. For non-air-conditioned classes, the restriction is from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.
This rule is to ensure that general passengers get a fair chance to book Tatkal tickets before agents can access them.
System Updates in Progress
To make these changes possible, the Railway Ministry has directed both the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to update their systems. These updates are already being prepared and will be shared with all railway zones across the country.
Once implemented, these new rules are expected to make the Tatkal ticketing process more efficient and safe for passengers. It is a step towards a more digital, secure, and fair railway booking experience.
A Shift Towards Digital Security
This update marks an important shift for Indian Railways as it continues to adopt digital tools for better service. With Aadhaar authentication and OTP-based verification, the railway system is moving closer to a more secure and reliable future.
The new rules are not only about safety-they are also about giving every passenger a fair chance and a smoother journey right from the moment they book their ticket.
