Indian Railways Announced New Tatkal Ticket Rules 2025

Now, while booking a Tatkal ticket, users will receive an OTP on the mobile number linked with their Aadhaar. By entering this OTP, IRCTC will authenticate the booking. From July 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for all online Tatkal bookings. Starting July 15, 2025, OTP-based Aadhaar verification will be enforced for all Tatkal bookings - including those made at PRS counters and through authorized agents.

Tatkal Ticket New Rules 2025: What's Changing?

Indian Railways has introduced sweeping reforms under the IRCTC Tatkal new rules that will take effect starting July 1, 2025. Here are the major highlights:

1. Aadhaar authentication is required for booking Tatkal tickets online starting July 1, 2025.
2. OTP-based Aadhaar verification becomes compulsory for all bookings (including counters and agents) from July 15, 2025.
3. Authorized agents will not be allowed to book opening-day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the booking window: 10:00–10:30 AM for AC and 11:00–11:30 AM for non-AC classes.
4. Aadhaar-verified IRCTC users will get priority access during this 30-minute window..
5. Non-verified users or authorized agents won’t get access during this priority window.
6. Unverified users without Aadhaar verification will face a 3-day delay to activate their accounts for booking Tatkal, Premium Tatkal, or ARP (Advance Reservation Period) tickets.
7. IRCTC’s AI-powered anti-bot system and CDN upgrades are now live to block scalpers and improve booking success rates.
8. Nearly 50% of login attempts during Tatkal hours were from bots. This is now being strictly stopped.
9. Over 2.5 crore fake IRCTC accounts have been blocked or deactivated already.

These changes are part of a broader strategy to make the Tatkal ticket booking system more transparent, secure, and user-friendly.

Why Indian Railways Is Changing the Tatkal Ticket Rules

Tatkal booking opens every morning at 10 AM for AC classes and 11 AM for sleeper classes. Millions of users log in simultaneously, only to watch tickets get booked within seconds, often without success.

Many people have complained about difficulties in booking Tatkal tickets, which became a major concern for IRCTC.

Here are a few reasons why Indian Railways decided to change the Tatkal Ticket rules:

1. An increasing number of scalpers are using fake IRCTC accounts to book tickets and resell them at higher prices.
2. Nearly 50% of login attempts came from bots, which booked tickets at lightning speed before human users had a chance.
3. Even some authorized agents were booking tickets before common users could access the system.

These reforms aim to make the Tatkal ticket booking system fairer and more transparent for real passengers.

Who Will Benefit from the New IRCTC Tatkal Ticket Rules?

The answer is simple, these Tatkal Ticket rules 2025 are designed to help genuine passengers. Here's who will benefit:

1. Aadhaar-verified IRCTC users will get 10 minutes early access to Tatkal bookings.
2. Regular passengers who previously faced difficulties in booking Tatkal tickets and will now enjoy improved website speed and stability.
3. Last-minute travelers or emergency passengers who need quick ticket bookings will have a better chance at confirmed seats.
4. New users are protected from being taken advantage of by agents.

Official Notice: The Ministry of Railways has urged all passengers to ensure their Aadhaar is linked to their IRCTC account to avoid inconvenience during Tatkal ticket bookings after July 1, 2025.

How to Prepare for the Tatkal New Rules

1. Make sure your Aadhaar is linked and verified on your IRCTC account before July 1, 2025, to avoid any issues while booking Tatkal tickets.
2. Make sure your mobile number is linked with Aadhaar (for OTP verification).
3. If you're a new IRCTC user, register 3 days in advance to avoid booking restrictions.
4. Don’t rely on agents - the new Tatkal Ticket rules 2025 prevent agents from booking during the first 30 minutes.
5. Update your IRCTC app regularly and keep all necessary information ready before the booking time.
6. For Tatkal tickets booked at PRS counters or through agents, the OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided at the time of booking, not necessarily the one linked to your Aadhaar.

This system-based OTP verification adds a secure layer of identity check to prevent misuse and improve transparency. Read our full blog on the Tatkal Ticket booking guide to get more tips on booking successfully.

Step-by-Step: How to Book Tatkal Ticket on IRCTC

Booking a Tatkal ticket under the new system is easy if you're Aadhaar-verified. Here's a quick guide:

1. Visit the official IRCTC portal or use the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app.
2. Login with your IRCTC username and password.
3. Enter your From-To station, date of journey, and class of travel.
4. Under the Quota dropdown located above the train list, select “Tatkal”. The train classes will appear on the right side of the train name - click on your preferred class to continue.
5. Choose your train and class, then click the “Book Now” button.
6. Fill in passenger details including name (max 16 characters), age, gender, berth preference, and food choice. (You can also choose YatriRestro food in train service for to get food delivery at your seat)
7. Enter the mobile number to receive booking SMS and OTP.
8. Input the captcha/verification code and continue.
9. Review total fare (including GST and convenience fee), then proceed to payment.
10. Select a payment option, click “Pay & Book”, and complete the transaction.

After successful payment, your ticket confirmation page will appear and a Virtual Reservation Message (VRM) will be sent via SMS.

How to Check PNR Status After Booking a Tatkal Ticket

Once you have successfully booked your Tatkal ticket, it is important to track the ticket confirmation. You can easily check PNR status through platforms like YatriRestro, which provides real-time PNR updates for your ticket. Regularly checking your PNR status helps you stay informed about your seat or berth confirmation, especially if you're waitlisted or on RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation).

Summary: IRCTC Tatkal New Rules 2025

The Indian Railways' new Tatkal Ticket rules are a major step toward making the Tatkal ticket booking system more transparent, secure, fair, and user-friendly.

By introducing mandatory Aadhaar OTP verification, blocking bot logins, deactivating fake accounts with the help of artificial intelligence, and upgrading infrastructure with a CDN, IRCTC is clearly prioritizing real passengers, especially those in urgent need of last-minute travel.

Now is the perfect time to link your Aadhaar with your IRCTC account and stay updated with all the latest IRCTC Tatkal Ticket rules. You should also keep an eye on IRCTC's fine rules to ensure a smooth and rule-compliant journey.

FAQs on IRCTC Tatkal New Rules

1. Is Aadhaar mandatory to book a Tatkal ticket?

Yes, Aadhaar is mandatory from July 1, 2025, to book your Tatkal ticket under the new Tatkal rules.

2. Who will benefit from the new Tatkal Ticket rules?

Real passengers who link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC account will get early access and faster booking opportunities.

3. Is it compulsory to link Aadhaar to my IRCTC account?

Yes, linking Aadhaar to your IRCTC account will be compulsory for Tatkal ticket bookings starting July 1, 2025.

4. When do agent booking restrictions apply?

Agents are restricted for the first 30 minutes of Tatkal booking: AC class: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM, Non-AC class: 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

5. When will the new Tatkal Ticket rules be implemented?

The new Tatkal Ticket rules by Indian Railways will be implemented in two phases:

From July 1, 2025: Aadhaar authentication becomes mandatory for all online Tatkal bookings via the IRCTC website and mobile app.

From July 15, 2025: OTP-based Aadhaar verification will be mandatory for all Tatkal bookings, including: Online bookings, Counter (PRS) bookings, Bookings made through authorized agents.