New tatkal ticket booking rule from July 1, 2025

Starting tomorrow, July 1, 2025, new tatkal ticket booking rules will come into effect. Announced by the Indian Railways earlier this month, the rule includes mandatory Aadhaar authentication for online booking in addition to OTP verification at reservation counters and booking restrictions for authorised agents during peak hours. These measures are aimed to curb the misuse of the tatkal booking system and enhance transparency. With the mandatory Aadhaar authentication kicking in tomorrow, it is essential for users to link their Aadhaar card with the IRCTC account. Here’s how to do it
How to link Aadhaar card with the IRCTC account
Readers must note that the rule is applicable to both sleeper and AC classes. If you are wondering how to link Aadhaar card with the IRCTC account, then follow these steps
Head to www.irctc.co.in
Login to your IRCTC account
Once logged in, go to ‘My Profile’
Here, select ‘Aadhaar KYC’
Next, enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number
Proceed to verify using OTP sent on your registered mobile number
Your Aadhaar card is now linked to IRCTC account.
As per new rule, at least one passenger on the ticket must be Aadhaar-verified. Here’s how to add Aadhaar-verified passengers for tatkal ticket booking:
Login to your IRCTC account
Go to ‘My Profile’, and then head to ‘Master List’
Here, add passenger details like name, age, gender, and Aadhaar card number
Next, click on ‘Verify’ to authenticate using OTP
Other changes coming to IRCTC tatkal booking
As mentioned above, tatkal tickets booked at computerised Passenger Reservation System counters and through authorised agents will require OTP authentication sent to the mobile number provided by the user at the time of booking. Further, in order to prevent bulk bookings during the critical opening period, authorised Indian Railways ticketing agents will not be permitted to book opening-day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window. It must be noted that this restriction applies to AC classes from 10am to 10:30am and to non-AC classes from 11am to 11:30am.