Tatkal ticket

Aadhaar Verification to Be Made Mandatory for Tatkal Train Tickets: Here’s What Passengers Need to Know

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Tatkal ticket
New Delhi, June 9, 2025 — Booking Tatkal train tickets is about to become more secure and fair, thanks to a major policy shift announced by the Ministry of Railways. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has confirmed that Aadhaar verification will soon be mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets, a move designed to curb fraudulent bookings and ensure that genuine passengers get fair access to last-minute travel options.

E-Aadhaar Verification to Be Linked with IRCTC Accounts

Under the new rule, users will only be able to book Tatkal tickets through IRCTC if their Aadhaar number is linked and verified with their account. This policy is aimed at eliminating fake identities, preventing misuse by touts and agents, and reducing the dependency on brokers. The change is expected to be rolled out by the end of this month, bringing a new level of transparency to the online ticketing system.

Most IRCTC Users Yet to Verify Aadhaar

Despite having over 13 crore registered users, IRCTC data reveals that only about 10% of users have completed Aadhaar verification. The railways now aims to close this gap, emphasizing that Aadhaar-linked accounts are crucial to streamlining operations and offering fair access to legitimate passengers.

Key Benefits of Aadhaar-Based Ticket Booking

According to Minister Vaishnaw, Aadhaar verification will directly benefit genuine travelers. It will help eliminate fraudulent practices such as the use of automated bots, fake IDs, and script-based bookings, which have long plagued the Tatkal system. This will result in faster access to confirmed tickets for real passengers, without interference from agents or middlemen.

IRCTC’s Crackdown on Fake IDs

Over the past year, IRCTC has blocked more than 3.5 crore fake IDs, many of which were created using temporary email addresses for the sole purpose of booking and reselling tickets. With the help of AI-based systems, the platform has effectively reduced fake traffic, and daily new account creation has dropped to 10,000–12,000, compared to significantly higher volumes earlier.

Possible Implementation at Ticket Counters Too

The Aadhaar verification mandate may not remain limited to online bookings. According to reports, Tatkal tickets purchased at physical ticket counters could also soon require identity verification through Aadhaar. If implemented, this will significantly restrict the scope for ticket black marketing and the resale of confirmed seats.

Equal Access for All Passengers

IRCTC has emphasized that this change is designed to level the playing field for all passengers. By reducing agent interference and fake bookings, the new system will allow common users to book tickets more fairly and efficiently. This is especially good news for passengers who routinely struggle to get a Tatkal ticket, often losing out to those using unfair booking practices.

What You Should Do Now

Passengers are encouraged to link and verify their Aadhaar with their IRCTC accounts at the earliest. Once the rule comes into effect, only verified users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets — both online and possibly at counters. Completing this step now will help ensure a hassle-free booking experience in the future.

Author Profile

Kuldeep Singh Chundawat
Kuldeep Singh Chundawat
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.