Tatkal Ticket Booking New Rules: Indian Railways has rolled out a set of new rules that kick in from July 1 and July 15, 2025. The goal? To make Tatkal booking more transparent, fair, and accessible for real people not agents or scammers.
Aadhaar-Based Booking is Now Mandatory
Starting July 1, 2025, you won’t be able to book Tatkal tickets online unless your IRCTC account is Aadhaar verified.
That means:
- Your Aadhaar must be linked to your IRCTC account.
- Without this, the “Book Now” button won’t work for Tatkal quota.
Then from July 15, 2025, things go one step further…
OTP from Aadhaar Will Be Needed
Now, even if your Aadhaar is linked, you’ll need to enter a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar while booking.
No OTP = No Tatkal ticket.
This applies to:
- Online bookings via IRCTC website or app
- Bookings at PRS counters
- Bookings made by authorised railway agents
This extra layer of verification helps block bots, fake accounts, and middlemen who used to jump ahead in line.
Agent Bookings Just Got Restricted Too
Ever wondered how tickets get sold out in seconds? A big reason is ticketing agents who book in bulk the moment the window opens.
That changes from July 1, 2025.
Agents Can’t Book in the First 30 Minutes
Indian Railways is now blocking agents during the opening minutes of Tatkal bookings to give common passengers a fair shot.
- For AC Classes: Agents blocked from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
- For Non-AC Classes: Agents blocked from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
So if you’ve ever missed a seat by just a few seconds, this rule is made for you.
Step-by-Step: How to Book Tatkal Tickets Now (Updated for 2025)
Let’s walk through it—exactly how you’ll book a Tatkal ticket under the new system:
- Login to IRCTC’s official site
- Make sure your Aadhaar is already linked and verified
- Choose your:
- From & To stations
- Date of journey
- Travel class
- Under quota, select Tatkal
- Pick a train and click “Book Now”
- Enter:
- Passenger details (Name, Age, Gender, Berth preference)
- Mobile number (for SMS and OTP)
- Enter the verification code and proceed
- You’ll now receive an Aadhaar OTP on your registered mobile—enter it to continue
- Check fare, confirm details
- Choose payment option and complete the booking
- Once confirmed, you’ll receive an SMS with your ticket (VRM)
Why These Changes Matter (And How They Help You)
This isn’t just a policy update—it’s a step toward fairness.
- More chances for real passengers to book on time
- Less misuse by bots and agents
- Stronger identity verification means fewer scams
If you’ve ever felt defeated trying to book a Tatkal ticket for an urgent trip, these rules give you new hope.
FAQs
Q1. When do the new Tatkal booking rules start?
➡️ From July 1, 2025, Aadhaar linking is mandatory.
From July 15, 2025, OTP verification kicks in.
Q2. What if I haven’t linked my Aadhaar with IRCTC yet?
➡️ You won’t be able to book Tatkal tickets after July 1. Link it now through your IRCTC profile settings.
Q3. Is OTP verification only for online bookings?
➡️ No. It’s required for all Tatkal bookings—online, at counters, and via agents.
Q4. Can agents still book Tatkal tickets?
➡️ Yes, but not during the first 30 minutes. This window is reserved for general passengers like you.
Q5. What if my Aadhaar-linked phone number is inactive or changed?
➡️ You’ll need to update your Aadhaar mobile number at an Aadhaar Seva Kendra before July 15.