New Delhi, June 14, 2025 – The Ministry of Railways has unveiled a series of significant reforms to the Tatkal ticket booking system, set to take effect in July 2025. These changes aim to ensure fair access, curb malpractices, and enhance transparency for genuine passengers.
🛂 Aadhaar Linking Mandatory – Effective July 1, 2025
Starting July 1, Tatkal ticket bookings via the IRCTC website and mobile app will be accessible only to Aadhaar-authenticated users. Travelers must link their Aadhaar numbers to their IRCTC accounts and complete verification before the new rules come into effect latestly.commarathi.indiatimes.com+15goachronicle.com+15indiatoday.in+15.
⏱️ Agents Restricted During First 30 Minutes
To reduce the dominance of agents in early bookings, a new restriction will bar authorized Tatkal agents from booking in the first 30 minutes:
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AC classes: Agents cannot book from 10:00 to 10:30 AM
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Non‑AC classes: Agents restricted from 11:00 to 11:30 AM ddnews.gov.in+15deccanherald.com+15economictimes.indiatimes.com+15latestly.com+3medisepkerala.com+3m.economictimes.com+3
This adjustment gives a fair edge to individual passengers when Tatkal windows open.
🔐 Aadhaar-Based OTP for All Bookings – From July 15, 2025
A stronger verification layer will be added: Aadhaar-linked OTP authentication becomes mandatory from July 15, covering all booking modes—online, PRS counters, and through agents. An OTP will be sent to the passenger’s Aadhaar-linked mobile number and must be entered at checkout navbharattimes.indiatimes.com+15business-standard.com+15freepressjournal.in+15.
🖥️ Curbing Fake Accounts with Tech
Indian Railways is also rolling out anti-bot and AI-based mechanisms to detect and block suspicious activities. Over 24 million fake IRCTC accounts have already been deactivated, with an additional 2 million under review goachronicle.com+9freepressjournal.in+9indiatimes.com+9.
🚦 What These Changes Mean for You
| Change | Impact |
|---|---|
| Mandatory Aadhaar | No booking without Aadhaar verification. Link now to avoid disruption. |
| Agent Booking Delay | First 30 minutes of AC/non-AC window reserved for individuals. |
| OTP Verification | Ensures real passengers—not bots—get Tatkal tickets. |
| Tech Enforcement | Anti-bot systems ensure fairer, secure booking. |
✅ Quick Tips for Seamless Tatkal Booking
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Link your Aadhaar to IRCTC now to avoid last-minute glitches facebook.com+15ddnews.gov.in+15indiatoday.in+15en.wikipedia.org+13medisepkerala.com+13m.economictimes.com+13newindianexpress.com+3goachronicle.com+3indiatimes.com+3.
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Ensure your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is updated for OTP receipt.
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Be prepared for booking windows: 10 AM for AC, 11 AM for non-AC.
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Have your Aadhaar OTP ready when booking from July 15 onward.
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Bookings at PRS counters and through agents will now also require OTP.
📣 Summary
From July 1, Tatkal bookings move to Aadhaar-authenticated access, followed by mandatory OTP verification from July 15. Additionally, agents face a 30-minute booking delay to prioritize genuine passengers. Powered by anti-bot AI, these measures are set to create a fairer, more transparent, and trustworthy Tatkal system.
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- My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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