Vande Bharat Train. (ANI)
Indian Railways is set to transform its Tatkal ticket booking system with stringent new measures to curb touting and ensure fair access. Starting July 1, 2025, Aadhaar verification will be mandatory for all Tatkal bookings, followed by OTP-based authentication from July 15, marking a significant overhaul of the process.
From July 1, passengers must link their Aadhaar details to their IRCTC accounts to book Tatkal tickets, either online or at counters. This move targets ticket scalping by agents and bots, which often snatch up tickets within seconds. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Aadhaar-verified users will get exclusive access to Tatkal bookings during the first 10 minutes of sales—8:00 AM for AC classes and 10:00 AM for non-AC. With only 12 million of IRCTC’s 130 million accounts currently Aadhaar-linked, the policy aims to prioritize genuine passengers while reducing black-market sales.
This applies to both IRCTC’s website and app, as well as physical counters, where passengers must present Aadhaar details for verification. The system ensures that only verified individuals can secure tickets, particularly critical as 62.5% of AC Tatkal tickets are booked within the first 10 minutes. The Railways expect this to deter automated scripts used by touts, ensuring a fairer distribution of limited Tatkal seats.
While the policy has been welcomed for tackling fraud, it raises concerns about accessibility. The Railways have promised helpdesks at major stations and an awareness campaign to assist users in linking Aadhaar before the deadline.
The new Tatkal policy reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to transparency and equity. However, its success hinges on seamless implementation and support for passengers navigating the digital shift. As July approaches, travelers are urged to link Aadhaar to avoid booking disruptions.
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