In a significant move to improve transparency and accessibility in railway ticketing, Indian Railways has introduced new Tatkal booking norms effective July 1, 2025. The biggest change? Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts are now being prioritized for Tatkal ticket reservations.
Railway Minister Clarifies in Parliament
During the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, several MPs questioned the Railway Minister on potential misuse and unfair practices in Tatkal ticket bookings. In response, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that only Aadhaar-authenticated users are now permitted to book Tatkal tickets on the IRCTC website and mobile app.
This move aims to reduce fraud, restrict fake accountsand offer a level playing field to genuine passengers.
Agent Access Barred for First 30 Minutes
To further limit unfair booking practices, Indian Railways has barred agents from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the Advance Reservation Period (ARP):
- 10:00 am to 10:30 am for AC classes
- 11:00 am to 11:30 am for non-AC classes
This ensures that individual passengers with Aadhaar-linked accounts get a fair chance to secure tickets.
OTP-Based Booking Verification Introduced
Whether booking Tatkal tickets at PRS counters or through authorized agentsan OTP will now be sent to the passenger’s mobile number for verification. This step adds another layer of authentication and is expected to deter unauthorized ticketing.
Continuous Reforms for a Transparent System
The Railway Ministry emphasized that this is part of an ongoing effort to improve the user experience and integrity of the Tatkal system. With more people relying on last-minute bookings, digital safeguards like Aadhaar linking and OTP are now essential tools to ensure fairness.
Conclusion
If you frequently rely on Tatkal tickets, link your Aadhaar with your IRCTC account for smoother, faster access. These reforms mark a major step in making the Indian railway booking system more secure, transparent, and user-focused.