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.