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Changes in Tatkal Ticket Booking: Aadhaar Mandatory for IRCTC
Tatkal ticket booking rules change from July 1: Aadhaar mandatory for IRCTC; how to link Aadhaar with IRCTC account

How to link Aadhaar with IRCTC account

In a significant policy change aimed at enhancing transparency, rooting out fraud, and providing equitable access to emergency train travel, the Ministry of Railways has made comprehensive changes in the Tatkal ticket reservation system effective from July 1, 2025. According to the new guidelines, only users who have registered their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC account will be eligible to reserve Tatkal tickets online, ushering in a new era of digitally verified travel in India.

The shift, formally issued in a directive to all zonal railways on June 10, 2025, is part of a larger effort to curb the rampant abuse of Tatkal tickets by unauthorized agents and bots. Indian Railways has further supported this step by introducing an Aadhaar-based OTP authentication level from July 15, 2025, to strengthen the booking process for genuine last-minute travelers and prevent the misuse of Tatkal tickets.

How to link Aadhaar to IRCTC account for Tatkal booking before the July 1 deadline

To be eligible to book Tatkal tickets after July 1, follow these steps to link your Aadhaar:

Pre-requisites:

  • An active IRCTC account

  • Your 12-digit Aadhaar number or Virtual ID

  • A mobile phone linked with your Aadhaar to receive OTPs

Follow the steps below:

  • Go to the official IRCTC website and log in with your credentials.

  • Go to the 'My Account' page and select 'Authenticate User'.

  • Provide your Aadhaar Number or Virtual ID.

  • Press 'Verify Details'.

  • You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number.

  • Provide the OTP and authenticate after accepting the consent.

  • A success message will be displayed upon successful authentication.

How to add Aadhaar-verified passengers to your master list

To expedite Tatkal booking, IRCTC allows you to pre-add passengers to your Master List and get them Aadhaar-verified.

  • Login to your IRCTC account and navigate to My Profile > Master List.

  • Enter the passenger's name, date of birth, and gender as per the Aadhaar card.

  • Choose 'Aadhaar Card' as ID proof and fill in the Aadhaar number.

  • Reference 'Submit'. The status will initially display as Pending.

  • You can verify the status through the 'Check pending Aadhaar verification' link.

  • Once verified, their information will be stored and automatically filled in during booking.

Tip

Regularly update your Master List to prevent delays during peak Tatkal sessions.

New Tatkal rules effective from July 1, 2025

1. Aadhaar verification becomes mandatory

  • From July 1, Tatkal tickets can only be booked by users who have validated their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC account.

  • Passengers cannot proceed with Tatkal booking unless their IRCTC account is Aadhaar linked and verified through an OTP.

2. More OTP-Based Aadhaar Authentication from July 15

  • From July 15, even Aadhaar-authenticated users will need to perform an OTP-based authentication step associated with their Aadhaar number for every Tatkal booking.

  • This additional layer aims to confirm the user making the booking is the actual account holder and prevent account abuse or automation-driven manipulation.

3. Restrictions for agents

  • IRCTC agents will be prohibited from booking Tatkal tickets within the first 30 minutes of the booking period.

  • AC Class (1A, 2A, 3A): Agents cannot book between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM

  • Non-AC Class (SL, 2S): Agents cannot book between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM

The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have been tasked with making backend technical modifications to ensure these booking windows automatically. These measures will significantly enhance Tatkal availability for individual passengers.

Why new Tatkal ticket rules are introduced

  • Stopping abuse of the Tatkal system by touts, bots, and unofficial agents.

  • Facilitating actual last-minute passengers by eliminating artificial ticket shortages.

  • Enhancing online governance through Aadhaar-based identity verification in mainstream services.

  • Establishing an honest, transparent system where mass automated bookings do not hinder regular users.

The Ministry of Railways emphasizes that these changes align with the national policy of "Digital India" and support e-governance and transparency in public-facing services.

Also read | Booking Tatkal tickets on IRCTC? Aadhaar and OTP are a must from July 1; know how to book Tatkal ticket online on IRCTC through website and app

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