So is IRCTC now forcibly selling food with tickets? This is how the No Food option was hidden, passengers flocked to their senses in searching!

 The "No-Food" option on the IRCTC website and app has now been shifted to the bottom of the page. Many passengers claimed that they were forced to pay for the food. Railways have clarified that passengers have complete freedom and the interface has been changed so that booking is easier.

IRCTC New Update: If you also use the IRCTC website or mobile app to book tickets online, then this news is important for you . In recent times, many passengers have complained on social media that they are no longer getting the option of 'No-Food' while booking tickets. People are saying that earlier they could easily choose 'No-Food' while booking tickets, now this option is not visible on the website. So now while booking a train ticket, you have to take train food without wanting, let's know the whole truth?

Many users on social media tagged IRCTC and wrote that they had to pay the food charge forcibly at the time of ticket booking. Some people also shared a screenshot of the ticket, which appeared to be written as Meal included. Passengers said that earlier there were three options of 'Veg Meal', 'Non-Veg Meal' and 'No-Food', but now 'No-Food' has disappeared.

Actually, the no-food option has not been removed from the IRCTC website, but its status has been changed in the new interface (UI Update) of the website and app. Now this option is not given in the place before but in the bottom section of the page. Many people are not able to see it while booking tickets in a hurry, which is creating confusion.

Why did the Railways change the interface?

According to IRCTC officials, the design of the website and mobile app has recently been upgraded. This upgrade includes changes to make the booking page more user-friendly and faster . In the new system, an attempt has been made to show the food options in a clean way so that passengers can decide for themselves whether they want food on the journey or not.

How to choose the no-food option now?

If you don't want to be given food with the ticket, keep these things in mind. When you are booking tickets, go to the "Meal Options" section. Scroll down to "Veg Meal" and "Non-Veg Meal" here. At the bottom of the page, you'll find a new button for "I don't want food/beverages." Click on it so that you don't have to pay the charge for food with the ticket.

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IRCTC New TATKAL Rule from 1 July 2025

Starting July 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for all Tatkal ticket bookings via IRCTC's website and mobile app. Passengers must link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC user ID and verify it successfully. From July 15, 2025, all Tatkal bookings made at computerised PRS counters and through authorised agents will require OTP authentication sent to the mobile number provided during booking.

  Aadhaar authentication for online Tatkal bookings

Tatkal tickets purchased via IRCTC's official website and mobile app will only be accessible to individuals who have successfully authenticated with Aadhaar as of July 1, 2025. This means that passengers must link their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC user profile and verify it successfully to be able to book Tatkal tickets online. Further, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will become mandatory for Tatkal bookings made online starting 15th July 2025. 

 System-based OTP Authentication at counters and agents Starting July 15, 2025, all Tatkal tickets booked at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and through authorised railway agents will require an extra layer of verification through OTP (One-Time Password) authentication. 

 Booking time restriction for authorised agents

 To ensure fair access to Tatkal tickets for regular passengers, Indian Railways has imposed a time restriction on authorised ticketing agents during the initial phase of Tatkal bookings. Under the new rule, authorised agents will not be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window on the day Tatkal bookings open. The rule applies as follows: For AC classes: Agents cannot book tickets between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM. For non-AC classes: Agents cannot book tickets between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.

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