Starting July 15, 2025, the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has implemented a major change in its Tatkal ticket booking process. Passengers can no longer book Tatkal train tickets without completing Aadhaar-based OTP verification, a move aimed at curbing misuse and enhancing transparency.

Under the new rule, both online bookings via IRCTC’s website and mobile app, as well as offline bookings at PRS counters and through authorized agents, now require Aadhaar authentication. The OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked with the passenger’s Aadhaar card, and only after successful verification will the ticket be issued.

Key Changes Effective July 2025:

  • Mandatory Aadhaar OTP verification for all Tatkal bookings.
  • Booking restrictions for agents: Agents cannot book AC class tickets between 10:00–10:30 AM and non-AC tickets between 11:00–11:30 AM.
  • Reservation charts will now be prepared 8 hours before train departure, giving passengers more time to confirm or adjust travel plans.
  • Fare hikes have been introduced for premier trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Vande Bharat, and others.

How to Verify Your Aadhaar with IRCTC

For passengers who have not yet linked their Aadhaar with their IRCTC account, it is a simple one-time process:

  1. Log in to your account on the official IRCTC website or the Rail Connect mobile app.
  2. Navigate to the ‘My Account’ section.
  3. Select the ‘Link Your Aadhaar’ option.
  4. Enter your name as it appears on your Aadhaar card, followed by your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
  5. Tick the consent box and click on ‘Send OTP’.
  6. Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and click ‘Verify OTP’.
  7. Once submitted, your profile will be successfully verified with your KYC details.

Why This Change is Crucial

This two-factor authentication process is a direct strike against the rampant black marketing of Tatkal tickets. By ensuring that every booking is tied to a verified individual, Indian Railways aims to create a more transparent and equitable system for all passengers.