If you also try to book tatkal train tickets and often see “No Ticket Available,” there’s good news for you. The Indian Railways is bringing a major change in the tatkal ticket booking process to solve this issue.
Soon, e-Aadhaar verification will be mandatory at the time of booking. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared this update on the social media platform X. He said this new rule will ensure that genuine passengers in need will be able to get confirmed tickets. It will also help prevent ticket fraud using fake IDs, block unauthorized agents, and stop bot-based bookings, making it easier for regular passengers to get tickets.
Here’s how the new system will make ticket booking easier:
Q: What is the new rule?
A: At the time of booking a tatkal ticket, passengers will now have to undergo digital verification via e-Aadhaar. This means your Aadhaar must be linked to your IRCTC account.
Q: What changes for you?
A: According to The Economic Times, in the first 10 minutes of the tatkal booking window, only passengers with Aadhaar-verified IRCTC accounts will be allowed to book tickets.
Q: How will this make booking easier?
A: During the first 10 minutes, even IRCTC-authorised agents will not be able to book tickets. This will prevent scalpers and bots from accessing the system. Aadhaar-verified users will receive an OTP during booking, which must be entered to complete verification.
Q: Why is this rule being implemented?
A: This step has been taken to stop tatkal ticket black marketing and bookings using fake IDs. According to Indian Railways, over half of online tatkal tickets get booked within the first 10 minutes of the window opening—mostly by agents and bots. In the past year alone, IRCTC has blocked 3.5 crore fake user IDs.
Q: When will the new system start?
A: According to railway officials, e-Aadhaar authentication is likely to be implemented by the end of this month.