Tatkal Booking Rules Changing from July 1: All You Need to Know
Indian Railways has announced significant changes to the Tatkal ticket booking process, effective from July 1, 2025, with further updates being rolled out on July 15, 2025. These changes are aimed at improving transparency, ensuring genuine access, and reducing misuse of the system by bots and agents.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new Tatkal booking rules.
🔸 Key Changes in Tatkal Booking from July 1, 2025
1. Aadhaar Authentication Becomes Mandatory
Starting July 1, Tatkal bookings via the IRCTC website and mobile app will only be available to users who have completed Aadhaar-based authentication.
Passengers must link their Aadhaar number to their IRCTC account.
Authentication can be done via OTP sent to the Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
2. OTP Verification Required from July 15, 2025
From July 15, OTP verification becomes compulsory for all Tatkal bookings, including:
Online bookings via IRCTC
PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counter bookings
Authorized agent bookings
The OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked with the Aadhaar used for verification.
3. Time Restrictions for Agents
To prevent bulk booking by agents during peak hours:
Agents will be restricted from booking Tatkal tickets for:
AC classes: From 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Non-AC classes: From 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
This 30-minute buffer is meant to give individual users a fairer chance to secure tickets.
🔸 Why These Changes Matter
These updates are introduced to:
Improve transparency and fairness in ticket distribution
Curb the misuse of the Tatkal system by bots and ticketing agents
Promote secure and verified bookings using Aadhaar-linked credentials
🔸 What Passengers Should Do Now
Link Aadhaar with your IRCTC account before July 1
Verify your mobile number is the same as the one linked with Aadhaar
Be ready for real-time OTP verification during booking
Book Tatkal tickets during the opening window to benefit from agent-free access
✅ FAQ Section
Q1: Is Aadhaar mandatory for all Tatkal bookings from July 1, 2025?
Yes. Aadhaar authentication is required for Tatkal ticket bookings through IRCTC starting July 1.
Q2: What changes on July 15, 2025?
From July 15, OTP verification becomes compulsory for all Tatkal bookings, whether made online, through agents, or at ticket counters.
Q3: Can agents book Tatkal tickets during booking hours?
No. Agents will not be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of booking windows for AC and non-AC classes.
Q4: What happens if I haven't linked Aadhaar to my IRCTC account?
You will not be able to book Tatkal tickets online until Aadhaar linkage and verification are completed.
Q5: Is this change applicable to regular bookings?
Currently, these rules apply specifically to Tatkal ticket bookings.
Published on: June 24, 2025
Uploaded by: Pankaj
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