Indian Rail Mandates Aadhaar Authentication for Tatkal

When you plan to travel by train, the first concern is usually getting a confirmed ticket.

- MANOHAR KESARI

If you don't secure one, you often end up turning to brokers or attempting Tatkal bookings through the IRCTC website or mobile app. However, during Tatkal booking hours, lakhs of tickets are snapped up within just 1 to 5 minutes, leaving many disappointed. This happens because brokers and agents exploit the system using fake user IDs to grab a large share of these tickets.

To combat such fraud and misuse, the Railway Ministry has taken significant steps. It has already deactivated crores of fake user IDs and is now introducing a new rule. From July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar-authenticated users will be able to book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website and mobile app.

These changes aim to enhance user authentication and reduce black marketing and system abuse. The new provisions are as follows:

AADHAAR AUTHENTICATION FOR ONLINE TATKAL BOOKINGS