PHOTO BY-ASHOK SINHA
No Agents in Tatkal Rush: New Rules Set
New Delhi: Indian Railways has announced transformative changes to its Tatkal ticket booking system, set to take effect in July 2025, aimed at ensuring equitable access and minimising misuse of the scheme designed for last-minute travellers. From July 1, 2025, passengers booking Tatkal tickets through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or mobile app must be authenticated using their Aadhaar credentials, a move intended to verify user identity and prevent fraudulent bookings.
Starting July 15, 2025, an additional layer of security will be introduced, requiring Aadhaar-based OTP authentication for all online Tatkal bookings, ensuring only verified users can access the limited quota. This OTP-based verification will also apply to Tatkal tickets booked at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and through authorised agents, effective from the same date, with the OTP sent to the mobile number provided during booking.
To further protect genuine passengers, authorised agents will face a 30-minute restriction during the initial booking window, barred from reserving Tatkal tickets for AC classes between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM and for non-AC classes between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM. This measure aims to curb bulk bookings and prioritise individual travellers during peak demand.
The Ministry of Railways has directed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to implement necessary technical upgrades to support these changes, ensuring a seamless transition across platforms. All Zonal Railways and relevant departments have been informed to align with the new protocols.
“Passengers are strongly encouraged to link their Aadhaar details with their IRCTC profiles well in advance to avoid disruptions when booking Tatkal tickets,” a Ministry of Railways stated, adding that these reforms underscore Indian Railways’ commitment to leveraging technology to enhance transparency and fairness in its ticketing system, ensuring the Tatkal scheme benefits those it is intended to serve.
– global bihari bureau
