The Government of India and IRCTC have implemented a new rule in Tatkal train ticket booking from today, ie 15 July 2025, in which Aadhaar OTP is now necessary. Now whether it is IRCTC website, mobile app, PRS counter or through an agent, it has become mandatory to enter the OTP sent to the mobile number linked to the Aadhaar of that person during every tatkal ticket booking. The aim is to prevent blackness of booking by ticket agents and Scallers and make the ticketing system more transparent.

Previously, from 1 July 2025, Aadhaar link and verification in the account on the IRCTC website and app was made an essential part of Tatkal booking. That is, if your Aadhaar is not linking and verified in IRCTC account, then Tatkal tickets will not be booked. Now, from today, another layer has been added to this system, which is the step of OTP verification which will have to be completed before the ticket is completely booked.

Not only this, Tatkal booking of authorized agents has also been banned for the first 30 minutes, in which there will now be no booking from the agent till 10: 00-10:30 am for AC class and 11: 00-11:30 pm for Non-A. Its objective is to increase the opportunities of common passengers initially and weaken the grip of agents.

How will the new process of TATKAL Booking be?

• The account will definitely have Aadhaar link/verification on the IRCTC, which is already applicable from 1 July.
• While booking the ticket, it will have to be submitted to the Aadhaar Linked Mobile Number while booking the ticket or by the counter/agent.
• Agents will not be able to book 30 minutes first, which will give priority to real passengers in the system.

What is the benefit of this change?

• Increased transparency: Ban on booking by fake or agents.
• Passengers chance: Real people will be able to book in the initial minutes.
• Safety improvement: Aadhaar + OTP’s two-layer verification.
• The game of bots or scripts over: Such a system will be helpful in preventing scalping.

What to do passengers?

• Make Aadhaar link and verify in your IRCTC account.
• Link your mobile number to Aadhaar and keep recharge at the time of booking, so that OTP can be found immediately.
• Be prepared before the time of opening Tatkal tickets, which is 10:00 in the morning for AC, 11:00 pm for Non-A.