Starting next month, major changes are coming to the Indian Railways’ Tatkal ticket booking system. From July 1, 2025, passengers whose Aadhaar card is not linked to their IRCTC account will no longer be able to book Tatkal tickets via the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or mobile app.
According to the Ministry of Railways, Aadhaar authentication and OTP-based verification will now be mandatory. From July 15, 2025, passengers will also be required to enter an OTP linked to their Aadhaar during every Tatkal booking to confirm their identity.
The move aims to increase transparency, curb ticket black marketing by unauthorized agents, and ensure emergency Tatkal tickets are available to genuine passengers.
Why the Rule Change Is Necessary
In recent years, Tatkal ticket black marketing has become a significant issue, with unauthorized agents using fake IDs and automated software to hoard tickets and resell them at inflated prices. By mandating Aadhaar verification, Indian Railways hopes to ensure that only genuine users book tickets, minimizing fraudulent activities and making it easier for needy passengers to access last-minute travel options.
A senior official from the Ministry of Railways stated that Aadhaar authentication will help “prevent fake bookings and improve fairness in the system.” Additionally, Tatkal tickets can now only be booked via computerized PRS counters or authorized IRCTC agents.
How to Link Your Aadhaar with Your IRCTC Account
If you haven’t yet linked your Aadhaar with your IRCTC account, the process is simple and can be done online:
Visit the official IRCTC website: www.irctc.co.in
Log in using your username and password.
Go to the ‘My Profile’ section.
Click on ‘Aadhaar KYC’.
Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and click ‘Send OTP’.
Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and verify.
Once verified, your IRCTC account will be Aadhaar-linked, allowing you to continue booking Tatkal tickets seamlessly from July 1 onwards.
What Will Happen If You Don’t Link Aadhaar?
If you fail to link your Aadhaar to your IRCTC account before July 1, you will be unable to book Tatkal tickets via the online portal or mobile app. The verification will also apply to every new Tatkal booking through an OTP to ensure that each ticket is being booked by the genuine account holder.
Conclusion
Indian Railways’ decision to implement mandatory Aadhaar linking for Tatkal bookings is aimed at protecting passengers from fraudulent agents and ensuring fair access to emergency travel tickets. Passengers are advised to link their Aadhaar to IRCTC well ahead of July 1, 2025, to avoid any inconvenience while booking last-minute travel.
Author Profile
- 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.
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