New Delhi: A major change is set to be introduced in the process of booking railway tickets.
Come July 1, only those who have Aadhaar authentication on the IRCTC app and website will be able to book Tatkal tickets, the Railway Ministry informed in an official statement.
In a circular dated June 10, the ministry intimated all zonal offices it this decision was taken “to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal Scheme are received by the common end users.”
“With effect from 01-07-2025, tickets under Tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/ its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users,” the Railway ministry said in its circular.
Aadhaar-based OTP
Once the new rule comes into effect, users will be required to put an Aadhaar-based OTP for authentication.
“Tatkal tickets shall be available for booking through computerized PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters of Indian Railways/authorized agents only after authentication of a system-generated OTP, which shall be sent through the system on the mobile number furnished by the users at the time of booking. This shall also be implemented by 15/07/2025,” the circular stated.
New Tatkal window for ticketing agents
Authorised ticketing agents of Indian Railways will not be permitted to book opening day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the Tatkal booking window. Specifically, they will be restricted from booking Tatkal tickets for air-conditioned classes from 10 am to 10.30 am, and for non-air-conditioned classes from 11 am to 11.30 am.
The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been directed to make necessary modifications to the system and communicate the changes to all zonal railways.
Trials to confirm tickets of waitlisted passengers 24 hours prior
The ministry also said that a trial had been launched to confirm the status of waitlisted passengers 24 hours before time of departure, instead of the current 4 hours.
The pilot project will be regularised only if positive response from passengers is received.
“We have started this pilot project in the Bikaner Division, where charts are being prepared 24 hours before the train departure. The current practice is doing so before 4 hours,” said Dilip Kumar, Executive Director, Information and Publicity, Railway Board.
The idea behind this trial is to address concerns of passengers who remain uncertain about their journey till the eleventh hour due to a waitlisted ticket. “Now, if they know 24 hours before that their tickets are confirmed, they can plan their travel better,” Kumar said.
Once a ticket is confirmed, cancellation will entail a substantial penalty.
