New Tatkal Rule | 4 Dec 2025
Indian Railways has introduced a major change in the Tatkal ticket booking system. From now on, passengers booking Tatkal tickets from railway reservation counters must provide a valid mobile number to receive a One-Time Password (OTP). The OTP verification will be mandatory to complete the booking process.
This new rule has been implemented to prevent misuse of Tatkal tickets, curb fraudulent activities and ensure transparent, safe and quick bookings for genuine passengers.
Why OTP Is Now Mandatory for Tatkal Counter Tickets?
According to the new update, the Railways noticed increasing cases of fake bookings and misuse of Tatkal tickets booked through counters. To prevent this, the OTP verification system has now been made compulsory.
The OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided during booking. Only after entering the correct OTP will the Tatkal ticket be issued.
Railways believes this new system will:
- Prevent illegal agents from blocking Tatkal seats
- Help in identifying genuine passengers
- Reduce fraudulent transactions
- Make the Tatkal booking process more transparent
- Improve safety and security for travellers
How the New OTP-Based Tatkal Booking Will Work?
Passengers booking a Tatkal ticket from the railway counter will now follow these steps:
- Provide the booking form with mobile number
- The system will send an OTP to the given mobile number
- Passenger must share OTP with the ticket clerk
- Ticket will be issued only after OTP verification
This new method ensures that each Tatkal counter ticket is linked with a verified mobile number.
Tatkal Ticket Booking: What Passengers Must Remember
- Keep your mobile phone with you at the time of booking
- Ensure your number is active and able to receive SMS
- OTP is mandatory for all Tatkal counter bookings
- Without OTP, Tatkal ticket will not be issued
The Railways has clarified that this measure will help provide fair, secure and quick Tatkal ticket availability to genuine passengers.
When Will the New OTP Tatkal Rule Be Implemented?
According to the report, the new rule has already been implemented from 28 November 2025 across various railway reservation centers. Passengers must follow the updated procedure for all future Tatkal bookings done at physical counters.
Conclusion
The introduction of OTP verification for Tatkal counter bookings is a significant move by Indian Railways to bring more transparency, safety and efficiency to the reservation system. With this change, the misuse of Tatkal tickets is expected to reduce and passengers will get a more reliable booking experience.
