The North News
New Delhi, July 15
Indian Railways has made Aadhaar-based OTP authentication compulsory for all tatkal ticket bookings starting from July 15. The new rule applies to both online bookings through the IRCTC platform and offline purchases through PRS counters or authorised agents. Passengers must enter their Aadhaar number and verify it through a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their registered mobile number at the time of booking. The measure is intended to curb the misuse of Tatkal tickets and streamline the booking experience for genuine passengers.
Only users who have completed Aadhaar authentication will be able to access the Tatkal booking facility on the IRCTC website and mobile app. Those yet to verify their identity must visit the “My Account” section and complete the “Authenticate User” process before making any bookings. The Indian Railways has also introduced booking time restrictions for authorised agents to prevent mass reservations and give individuals a fairer chance. From July 1, agents are prohibited from booking AC class Tatkal tickets between 10:00–10:30 AM and non-AC class tickets between 11:00–11:30 AM. Officials say the dual measures are aimed at making the Tatkal system more transparent, reducing fraudulent activity, and improving accessibility for ordinary travellers.
