Indian railways have always been a hectic mess. You attempt to book a ticket, but if you are not about 2 months ahead of your schedule, there is no seat for you. Or, you find yourself on a hundred-person-long waiting list.
Then you go for the next option—you rush to book a train ticket through IRCTC’s Tatkal system—but only the most “skilled” could grab a seat. Some of us even have that friend—the “Tatkal Wizard”, who can get you that rare ticket on time.
Well, now you can be the wizard yourself.
Starting July 1st, 2025, IRCTC is introducing 3 big updates to Tatkal Booking, aimed at making the system safer, more transparent, and fairer for genuine passengers. If you rely on Tatkal bookings, here’s what you absolutely need to know to stay one step ahead.
The Tatkal System, Reimagined. The Tatkal scheme has always been a saviour for those planning urgent travel. But it’s also been vulnerable to bots, touts, and agent misuse.
To avoid this, IRCTC is tightening the rules to put real passengers in first priority. The changes are focused on ensuring a fair shot for those who truly need tickets.
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Aadhaar Becomes Essential for Online Tatkal Bookings
From July 1, 2025, if you’re booking a Tatkal ticket on the IRCTC website or app, your account must be Aadhaar-verified. No more just entering a number you need to have your Aadhaar linked and validated. This ensures that a real person is booking a train ticket.
This also has a follow-up update.
From July 15, 2025, IRCTC will also require OTP-based Aadhaar authentication for every Tatkal booking. The OTP will be sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar. This step ensures that each booking is verified and limits misuse by bots or fake accounts.
What You Need To Do: Link your Aadhaar to your IRCTC account and make sure your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active. This will soon be a non-negotiable part of the process.
Suggested Read: Best Travel Credit Cards in India
OTP Mandation for Offline Tatkal from July 15th
As an alternative to the online process, many rely on the offline counters or agents to book tickets beforehand.
Well, not anymore.
Starting July 15, even Tatkal tickets booked through physical counters or agents will require OTP authentication. The OTP will be sent to the mobile number you provide at the time of booking. This ensures that there are no tickets being wasted, as only real people can book a ticket.
Pro tip: Always keep your phone ready when visiting a reservation counter, especially for Tatkal.
Agents Can’t Book During Peak Tatkal Window
To give everyday travellers a better shot at securing tickets, IRCTC is tightening the window for agents. From now on:
⇒ For AC classes: Agents are banned from booking between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM
⇒ For Non-AC classes: Agents can’t book between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM
This gives individual users a 30-minute head start, eliminating bots and mass bookings.
Takeaway: If you’ve ever struggled to get a Tatkal ticket, this may be the break you needed. Book right as the window opens for your best chance.
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Why These Changes Matter
These updates aren’t just technical tweaks. They are a major push to make Tatkal fairer and more secure. For passengers, this means more control, better access, and fewer moments of frustration. For the system, it’s a digital leap forward.
Be Travel-Ready—Financially Too. Life doesn’t always give you time to plan. That’s why systems like Tatkal exist—and why it helps to have your finances ready, too. If an unexpected journey pops up or you’re short on funds, having access to a quick personal loan can make all the difference.
That’s where Buddy Loan comes into the picture. It is not a direct lender but a digital fintech marketplace that connects you to a network of verified lenders. Whether it’s for travel, medical emergencies, or anything in between, you can explore personal loan options that fit your needs—fast and hassle-free. And to make smarter borrowing choices, you can also check your credit score for free on Buddy Score, all in one place.
Also Read: Travel Loan
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