Railways: Aadhaar authentication for online Tatkal from 1 July; OTP from 15 July; agents barred for first 30 minutes
On 11 June 2025 in New Delhi, Indian Railways announced that from 1 July 2025 only Aadhaar-authenticated users can book Tatkal tickets on the IRCTC website and app.
Summary
Indian Railways announced changes to Tatkal booking on 11 June 2025 to curb misuse. From 1 July 2025, Tatkal tickets on the IRCTC website and app will be available only to Aadhaar-authenticated users, and Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will be mandatory for online Tatkal bookings from 15 July 2025. From 15 July, Tatkal tickets booked at computerised PRS counters and through authorised agents will also need OTP authentication sent to the user's mobile. Authorised agents may not book opening-day Tatkal tickets in the first 30 minutes of the window: 10:00–10:30 AM for AC classes and 11:00–11:30 AM for non-AC classes.
Key facts
- 1 July 2025
- Online Tatkal only for Aadhaar-authenticated users (IRCTC website/app)
- 15 July 2025
- Aadhaar OTP for online Tatkal; OTP at PRS counters and for agents
- Agents
- Barred in first 30 minutes: AC 10:00–10:30 AM; non-AC 11:00–11:30 AM
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under the Tatkal rules announced on 11 June 2025, authorised agents cannot book opening-day Tatkal tickets for AC classes during which window?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
PIB (Railways): agents cannot book in the first 30 minutes; for AC classes this is 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM, and for non-AC classes 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Consider the following statements about the Tatkal changes announced on 11 June 2025: 1. Aadhaar-based OTP authentication becomes mandatory for online Tatkal bookings from 15 July 2025. 2. OTP authentication for Tatkal tickets booked at PRS counters takes effect from 1 July 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
PIB (Railways): Aadhaar-based OTP for online Tatkal is mandatory from 15 July 2025, so 1 is correct. OTP at PRS counters and for agents also comes into effect from 15 July 2025, not 1 July, so 2 is wrong. So the answer is 1 only.