Tatkal Booking Rules Change Starting July 1 – Aadhaar Now Mandatory for IRCTC Users

Highlights

• From July 1, only Aadhaar-verified IRCTC users can book Tatkal tickets online with OTP authentication required from July 15 for each booking.
• IRCTC agents are blocked from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the window.
• These changes aim to curb misuse by bots and touts, ensure fairness for genuine travellers and support secure e-governance.

Caption – Ministry of Railways announces new Tatkal Booking Rules. (Image credit – @RailMinIndia on X)

Booking Tatkal train tickets online will get a major update starting July 1, 2025. As part of a push to stop fraud and ensure fair access for genuine travellers, the Ministry of Railways has made Aadhaar verification mandatory for Tatkal bookings on the IRCTC website.

To make Tatkal bookings more secure and user-focused, from July 1, only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website or app. pic.twitter.com/4Sr24VAW3I

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) June 16, 2025

Only users who have linked their Aadhaar number to their IRCTC account will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets online. This move aims to prevent misuse by unauthorised agents and bots and promote secure, verified bookings for last-minute passengers.

“With effect from 01.07.2025, tickets under tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users. Subsequently, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication shall also be made compulsory for the tatkal booking from 15.07.2025,” says the circular issued by the Railway Ministry on June 10.

Here’s everything you need to know.

New Tatkal Booking Rules from July 1

Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the details of new rules for the Tatkal ticket booking on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle @AshwiniVaishnaw. Posting the set of rules, the minister wrote, “Tatkal ticketing made more accessible for genuine users.”

Tatkal ticketing made more accessible for genuine users. pic.twitter.com/KGEAEgugtz

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 11, 2025

1. Aadhaar Verification Becomes a Must

From July 1, you won’t be able to book Tatkal tickets unless your IRCTC account is Aadhaar-verified. That means your Aadhaar number must be linked and authenticated through an OTP.

2. Extra OTP Authentication from July 15

Starting July 15, even if your account is already verified, you’ll need to complete an OTP-based Aadhaar check every time you make a Tatkal booking. This ensures the person booking is the actual account holder, helping stop misuse.

3. IRCTC Agents Face New Restrictions

To give regular users a fair shot, IRCTC agents won’t be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window –

• AC Classes (1A, 2A, 3A): Agents blocked from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
• Non-AC Classes (SL, 2S): Agents blocked from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM

IRCTC and CRIS will update their systems to make sure these blocks are enforced automatically.

Why Tatkal Booking Rules Are Changing?

According to railway officials, the new rules will help:

• Stop bulk bookings and abuse by bots and touts
• Make last-minute tickets more accessible to real passengers
• Improve transparency and online verification
• Support the national “Digital India” mission by making e-governance more efficient

How to Link Aadhaar to Your IRCTC Account?

To be eligible for Tatkal booking after July 1, follow these simple steps –

What You Need –

• An IRCTC account
• Your 12-digit Aadhaar number or Virtual ID
• A mobile number linked to your Aadhaar to receive OTP

Steps to Link Aadhaar:

• Log in to your account at www.irctc.co.in
• Go to ‘My Account’ > ‘Authenticate User’
• Enter your Aadhaar Number or Virtual ID
• Click ‘Verify Details’
• Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number
• Accept the consent and complete the authentication

You’ll see a success message once it’s done

How to Add Aadhaar-Verified Passengers to the Master List?

To save time during booking, IRCTC lets you pre-save Aadhaar-verified passengers. Here’s the step-by-step process –

• Log in to your IRCTC account
• Go to My Profile > Master List
• Enter the passenger’s details exactly as on the Aadhaar card
• Choose ‘Aadhaar Card’ as ID proof and enter the Aadhaar number
• Click ‘Submit’. Status will initially show as “Pending”
• Check status using ‘Check pending Aadhaar verification’
• Once verified, the details will auto-fill during bookings

Tip – Keep your Master List updated to avoid delays during high-traffic Tatkal hours.

FAQs

Q1. What is changing with Tatkal ticket booking from July 1, 2025?

Answer. Starting July 1, only users who have linked their Aadhaar number to their IRCTC account will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets online.

Q2. Is Aadhaar authentication required for every Tatkal booking?

Answer. Yes. From July 15, users must complete an OTP-based Aadhaar check each time they make a Tatkal booking to confirm identity and prevent misuse.

Q3. Are IRCTC agents allowed to book Tatkal tickets as usual?

Answer. No. IRCTC agents will be blocked for the first 30 minutes of Tatkal booking windows – AC Classes: 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM and Non-AC Classes: 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Q4. Why has the Ministry of Railways changed the Tatkal booking rules?

Answer. To curb fraud, stop bot misuse, ensure genuine passengers get fair access, and to promote secure, verified online bookings under the Digital India mission.

Also Read: IRCTC Tatkal Ticket Booking Guide: Time, Charges and How to Book Online or Using App

Also Read: Indian Railways Introduces ‘Book Now, Pay Later’ Service for Ticket Reservations