Only Aadhar authenticated users can book Tatkal tickets from July 1: India's Railway Ministry

The circular also introduced a restriction on authorized ticketing agents

Last updated: June 11, 2025 | 13:48

Stephen N R, Senior Associate Editor

2 MIN READ

Aadhaar-based OTP (one-time password) authentication will become mandatory for Tatkal bookings starting July 15, 2025

ANI

Dubai: India’s Railway Ministry has announced that, starting July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be allowed to book tickets under the Tatkal scheme.

In a circular dated June 10, 2025, the ministry directed all railway zones to implement this measure “to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal Scheme are received by the common end users.”

Also Read: Online registration of Aadhar cards: Indian expatriates laud decision

“With effect from 01-07-2025, tickets under the Tatkal scheme can be booked through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or app only by Aadhaar-authenticated users,” the circular stated.

Additionally, Aadhaar-based OTP (one-time password) authentication will become mandatory for Tatkal bookings starting July 15, 2025. The ministry clarified: “Tatkal tickets shall be available for booking through computerized PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters of Indian Railways or authorized agents only after authentication via a system-generated OTP, which shall be sent to the mobile number furnished by the user at the time of booking.”

Also Read: Caste, domicile certificates link with Aadhar

The circular also introduced a restriction on authorized ticketing agents: they will not be allowed to book opening-day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window. Specifically:

For AC classes: Agents are restricted from 10am to 10:30am
For non-AC classes: agents are restricted from 11am to 11:30am

The Ministry has instructed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to make the necessary technical modifications and ensure these updates are communicated to all zonal railways. It also assured that the changes will be widely publicized to inform the general public.

What’s Tatkal Scheme?

The Tatkal Scheme is a fast-track service offered by Indian Railways for passengers who need to book train tickets on short notice. It allows passengers to reserve seats in various classes of trains, including Sleeper, AC, and others. Tatkal bookings open one day before the train’s scheduled departure, excluding the date of departure, and can be made online or offline.

Short notice booking: The main purpose of the Tatkal scheme is to accommodate passengers who need to travel on short notice.

Limited quota: A specific quota of seats is set aside for Tatkal bookings.

Additional charges: Tatkal tickets come with additional charges, which vary depending on the class and distance.

Opening time: Tatkal booking opens at 10am for AC classes (2A/3A/CC/EC/3E) and 11am for non-AC classes (SL/FC/2S) on the day before the journey.

Eligibility: The scheme is available for all reserved classes on almost all trains in India.

Multiple leg bookings: Passengers can book the same Tatkal berth/seat in multiple legs until the time of chart preparation.

Unutilized berths: If berths under Tatkal quota remain unused, they are released to General/RAC/Waiting List passengers.

Cancellations of confirmed Tatkal tickets do not offer refunds, while waitlisted Tatkal tickets may have deductions as per IRCTC rules. Passengers can book tickets online through the IRCTC website or other platforms.

Stephen N RSenior Associate Editor

A Senior Associate Editor with more than 30 years in the media, Stephen N.R. curates, edits and publishes impactful stories for Gulf News — both in print and online — focusing on Middle East politics, student issues and explainers on global topics. Stephen has spent most of his career in journalism, working behind the scenes — shaping headlines, editing copy and putting together newspaper pages with precision. For the past many years, he has brought that same dedication to the Gulf News digital team, where he curates stories, crafts explainers and helps keep both the web and print editions sharp and engaging.