Tatkal Ticket Rules 2025: Aadhaar Authentication & Impact
- Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will require Aadhaar authentication for all users booking tatkal tickets online.
- The ministry aims to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal scheme reach genuine passengers.
- The new directive also outlines restrictions for authorized ticketing agents.
Starting July 1, 2025, prepare for mandatory Aadhaar authentication for all Tatkal ticket bookings on the IRCTC website and app. This major shift means only verified users can secure a
Aadhaar Authentication Required for Tatkal Ticket Bookings
Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will require Aadhaar authentication for all users booking tatkal tickets online. The Ministry of Railways issued a directive stating that only users authenticated via Aadhaar will be able to book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website or its mobile app.
The ministry aims to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal scheme reach genuine passengers. An additional layer of security will be added on July 15, 2025, when passengers will also need to complete an Aadhaar-based OTP authentication for Tatkal ticket booking.
The new directive also outlines restrictions for authorized ticketing agents. These agents will be prohibited from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes after the booking window opens. This restriction applies from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for air-conditioned classes and from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for non-air-conditioned classes.
The Center for Railway Data Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been instructed to implement the necessary system changes and communicate these updates to all zonal railway divisions.
What’s next
Passengers planning to book tatkal tickets should ensure their Aadhaar authentication is complete to avoid any inconvenience. Indian Railways continues to refine its systems to improve efficiency and prevent misuse of the Tatkal scheme.