If you book train tickets through the IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) website or app, there are some important changes you need to know. From 1st July 2025, booking a Tatkal ticket will require Aadhaar-verified OTP authentication. And from 15th July 2025, this OTP process will become mandatory. The Indian Railways has recently changed three major rules related to ticket booking. Here’s everything you need to know:
1. Aadhaar Verification Mandatory for Tatkal Ticket Booking
The Ministry of Railways has announced that starting 1st July 2025, users will not be able to book Tatkal train tickets without Aadhaar authentication. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had already hinted at this change through a social media post. The move is aimed at curbing black marketing of tickets and making the system more beneficial for genuine users.
2. Aadhaar-Based OTP to Be Mandatory from 15th July
From 15th July 2025, in addition to Aadhaar verification, users will also need to complete Aadhaar-based OTP authentication while booking Tatkal tickets via the IRCTC website or mobile app.
3. Tatkal Booking Time Restricted for Agents
Railway ticket agents will now not be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during key time windows. For AC class, agents cannot book tickets from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM. For Non-AC (Sleeper class), agents cannot book from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM. This rule is aimed at preventing misuse of booking slots by agents.
Also Read-: Vande Bharat: India to Get Its First Sleeper Vande Bharat Train, Major Update Arrives
Bonus Update: You May Get Ticket Confirmation 24 Hours in Advance
Currently, the train chart is prepared about 4 hours before the train’s departure, which is when you get to know if your ticket is confirmed. However, Indian Railways is working on a new project where charts could be prepared 24 hours before the train departure, allowing passengers to get confirmation earlier.
Tatkal Booking Timing
AC Class: Tatkal booking starts at 10:00 AM daily.
Sleeper Class: Tatkal booking starts at 11:00 AM daily.
Login Tips for Tatkal Booking
Log in 3 to 5 minutes before the booking time (not earlier), so your session doesn’t expire. Avoid logging in 10 to 15 minutes earlier, as your session might time out before booking opens.
Prepare Your Master List in Advance
Before booking, create a Master List on the IRCTC site with passenger details. This helps speed up the booking process, as you won’t need to enter passenger information manually during the crucial booking time.
Stay updated and follow these new rules to ensure smooth and successful train travel!