Starting July 1, IRCTC will allow Tatkal tickets to be booked only to Aadhaar authenticated users. Later from July 15 onwards, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will be mandatory for Tatkal bookings
New Delhi:
Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways will make Aadhaar authentication mandatory for booking Tatkal train tickets on the IRCTC website and mobile app. This move aims to improve security, ensure genuine bookings, and stop misuse of the Tatkal quota.
The Railway Ministry, in a circular dated June 10, confirmed that only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be able to book Tatkal tickets online. Passengers who haven’t linked their Aadhaar with their IRCTC account will not be able to make bookings under the Tatkal scheme.
From July 15, Aadhaar-based OTP verification will also become compulsory at railway counters and authorized agent offices. A one-time password (OTP) will be sent to the mobile number linked to the Aadhaar used during booking.
Why This Change?
This new rule is part of the Railways’ push to curb fraudulent bookings and make the ticketing system more transparent and secure. The IRCTC has already requested all users to link their Aadhaar numbers with their accounts as soon as possible.
How to link Aadhaar to IRCTC Account – Step-by-Step Guide
- Log in to your IRCTC account at irctc.co.in.
- Go to ‘My Account’ and click on ‘Authenticate User’.
- You will see your profile details on the screen.
- Enter your Aadhaar Number or Virtual ID and click ‘Verify Details and Receive OTP’.
- Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Tick the consent checkbox and hit ‘Submit’.
- If successful, a confirmation message will appear.
- If not, double-check your details and try again.
Final Note:
With this change, only passengers with verified Aadhaar will get access to Tatkal tickets — especially during the first 30 minutes of booking, when agents are also restricted. So if you often travel on short notice, it’s a good idea to link and verify your Aadhaar now to avoid any last-minute hassle.
