Image Source: Agencies

June 11, 2025: The Railway Ministry announced on Wednesday that beginning July 1, only users with Aadhaar credentials will be able to purchase Tatkal tickets. The ministry made the decision "to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal scheme are received by the common end users" in a June 10 circular to all zones. "With effect from July 1, tickets under the Tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/its app only by Aadhaar-authenticated users," the ministry said.
Since July 15, Tatkal reservations will also require OTP authentication based on Aadhaar. "After authentication of a system-generated OTP, which shall be sent through the system to the mobile number furnished by the users at the time of booking," Tatkal tickets shall only be available for booking through computerized PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters of Indian Railways or authorized agents. This shall also be implemented by July 15," the circular stated.
According to the circular, authorized Indian Railways ticketing agents will not be permitted to purchase opening-day Tatkal tickets within the first thirty minutes of the Tatkal booking window. Specifically, they will be restricted from booking Tatkal tickets for air-conditioned classes from 10 am to 10.30 am and for non-air-conditioned classes from 11 am to 11.30 am.
The ministry has instructed the IRCTC and the Centre for Railway Information Systems to make the necessary adjustments to the system and notify all zonal railways of these changes. The circular promised that all available means would be used to inform the general public about these changes.