Starting 15 July 2025, Indian Railways has changed the rules for booking Tatkal tickets — and if you haven’t updated your IRCTC profile with Aadhaar authentication, you might not be able to book your ticket at all.
What’s the New Rule for Tatkal Ticket Booking?
Whether you’re booking from:
- IRCTC website
- IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app
- PRS counter (offline)
- A registered railway agent
You will now need to complete Aadhaar OTP verification to confirm your Tatkal booking.
Until this OTP (sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number) is successfully verified, your ticket won’t be issued — no exceptions.
This move aims to prevent fraud and give genuine passengers a better chance to get urgent tickets.
When Can You Book Tatkal Tickets?
Here’s a quick refresher on Tatkal timing:
| Class Type | Booking Time (1 Day Before) |
|---|---|
| AC Classes (1A/2A/3A/CC/EC) | From 10:00 AM |
| Non-AC Classes (SL/2S) | From 11:00 AM |
⏰ Book early — slots fill up within minutes!
Aadhaar OTP is Now Required – Even for Offline Booking
This rule doesn’t just apply to online users.
Even if you go to a PRS counter or book through an authorized agent, you will need to:
- Provide your Aadhaar number
- Share the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar
- Enter the OTP received at the time of booking
Without OTP authentication, your ticket will not be processed.
How to Authenticate Your IRCTC Profile with Aadhaar
If you haven’t linked your Aadhaar with your IRCTC profile yet, here’s how to do it:
- Login to IRCTC website or app
- Go to My Account
- Click on Authenticate User
- Enter your Aadhaar number and verify via OTP
Once this is done, you’ll be able to proceed with Tatkal bookings without last-minute issues.
Booking Time Restrictions for IRCTC Agents
To ensure fair access to Tatkal tickets for the general public, Indian Railways has limited the booking window for travel agents:
| Class Type | Agents Cannot Book During |
|---|---|
| AC Classes | 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Non-AC Classes | 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM |
So if you’re booking through an agent, plan accordingly!
Train Fare Hike from 1 July 2025
In case you missed it — fares for premium and special trains like:
- Rajdhani
- Shatabdi
- Tejas
- Vande Bharat
- Duronto
- Humsafar
…have increased from 1 July 2025. Prices now vary based on class and distance.
Reservation Charts Now Finalized Earlier
Indian Railways will now prepare the final reservation chart 8 hours before train departure.
- If your train departs before 2 PM, the chart will be ready by 9 PM the night before
- Earlier, this window was only 4 hours
This gives you more time to confirm your seat status, waitlist clearance, or cancellations.
Final Thought
With Aadhaar OTP now a non-negotiable requirement for Tatkal booking, it’s best to:
- Update your IRCTC profile today
- Link your Aadhaar correctly
- Keep your Aadhaar-linked mobile number active
These changes are designed to reduce misuse and bring fairness to ticket booking — but they only work if you’re prepared.
Need help authenticating your IRCTC account or checking Tatkal times? Bookmark this page or visit irctc.co.in for direct access.