New tatkal ticket booking rules: Aadhaar OTP must from July 2025, agents can't book tatkal in first half hour in AC, non-AC coaches and more

Indian Railways has introduced a series of major changes to the tatkal ticket booking system to enhance transparency, curb misuse, and ensure fair access for genuine passengers. These updates include mandatory Aadhaar authentication for online bookings, OTP verification at reservation counters, and booking restrictions for authorised agents during peak hours.

The Ministry of Railways has also urged all passengers to take note of these changes and encourages everyone to ensure Aadhaar linkage with their IRCTC user profiles to avoid inconvenience.

Aadhaar authentication for online Tatkal bookings

Tatkal tickets purchased via IRCTC’s official website and mobile app will only be accessible to individuals who have successfully authenticated with Aadhaar as of July 1, 2025. This means that passengers must link their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC user profile and verify it successfully to be able to book Tatkal tickets online.

Further, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will become mandatory for Tatkal bookings made online starting 15th July 2025.

System-based OTP Authentication at counters and agents

Starting July 15, 2025, all Tatkal tickets booked at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and through authorised railway agents will require an extra layer of verification through OTP (One-Time Password) authentication.

Booking time restriction for authorised agents

To ensure fair access to Tatkal tickets for regular passengers, Indian Railways has imposed a time restriction on authorised ticketing agents during the initial phase of Tatkal bookings.
Under the new rule, authorised agents will not be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window on the day Tatkal bookings open.

The rule applies as follows:
For AC classes: Agents cannot book tickets between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
For non-AC classes: Agents cannot book tickets between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.

How to book tatkal tickets in IRCTC portal?

Step 1: Login by entering your User name and Password in the IRCTC website (https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/train-search)
Step 2: Provide your desired From – To station, Date of Journey and Class of travel.
Ste 3: Select Tatkal option in the quota dropdown. The next page displays the list of trains available for the selected route.
Step 4: Click on the type of class available in the selected train. The quota option is available on right side of the above mentioned train list.
Step 5: To book Tatkal ticket in the selected train, click on “Book Now” button
Step 6: Enter the names of the passengers, age, gender, berth preference and food choice for each passenger. The maximum length of names should be restricted to 16 characters.
Step 7: Enter the verification code. Enter the Passenger mobile number to receive the booking and cancellation free SMS.
Step 8: Click on Continue button.
The ticket details, Total fare (including GST & Convenience Fee) and availability of berths at the particular time appear on the screen
Step 9: After checking all details, click on the Continue button for the Payment process.
Step 10: Select the desired payment option from the displayed Payment Gateway menus.
Step 11: Click on “Pay & Book” button for redirection to the selected Bank website.
After successful payment and booking of accommodations, Ticket Confirmation Page will appear. Virtual reservation message (VRM) in the form of SMS will be sent on Mobile Number (as provided in the Passenger reservation form.