In a significant move aimed at curbing misuse and ensuring transparency in railway bookings, the Ministry of Railways has announced a new Aadhaar-based authentication requirement for Tatkal ticket reservations. Starting July 15, 2025, all Tatkal bookings made online will mandatorily require Aadhaar-based OTP verification.
The reform was officially announced by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on June 17, as part of a broader effort to streamline the Indian Railways’ ticketing system and prioritize genuine passengers during high-demand periods.
“From July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated and KYC-verified users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window,” said Minister Vaishnaw. “This step is aimed at enhancing fairness and reducing misuse by automated agents and touts.”
What This Means for Passengers
To book a Tatkal ticket on IRCTC during the critical initial booking window, users must complete two key steps:
- Aadhaar Authentication
- KYC Verification
If you haven’t already linked your Aadhaar to your IRCTC account, follow the steps below to complete the process before the rule takes effect.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Authenticate Aadhaar on IRCTC
- Log in to the IRCTC official website or app using your account credentials.
- Navigate to ‘My Account’ and select ‘Authenticate User’.
- Enter your Aadhaar Number or Virtual ID.
- Click ‘Verify Details’.
- An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Enter the OTP, provide consent, and click ‘Submit’.
If the authentication fails, re-check the details and retry. You can view your authentication status anytime under the ‘Authenticate User’ section.
How to Link Aadhaar to Your IRCTC Account (If Not Already Done)
- Log in to your IRCTC account.
- Go to the ‘Profile’ tab and click on ‘Link Aadhaar’.
- Enter your name as per Aadhaar and your Aadhaar number.
- Check the consent box and click ‘Send OTP’.
- Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile number and click ‘Verify OTP’.
- Your KYC details will be fetched and updated. A pop-up will confirm the successful verification.
Important Reminders for Tatkal Users
- ✅ Complete Aadhaar Linking Early: Do not wait until the last minute. Early linking will prevent delays or errors during the high-speed Tatkal window.
- ✅ Ensure Your Aadhaar Mobile Number is Current: The OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. If it’s outdated, update it via the UIDAI portal.
- ✅ Prepare Login Credentials: Make sure you remember your IRCTC username and password to avoid last-minute access issues.
