No Aadhaar, no Tatkal: Railways make OTP verification mandatory for online ticket booking; Here's what you must do

If you’re planning to book a Tatkal train ticket online, make sure your Aadhaar is ready. From 15 July, Aadhaar OTP (one-time password) verification has been made mandatory for all online Tatkal ticket bookings, according to railway authorities.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Division, Northern Railway, Uchit Singhal announced that from July 15 onwards, Aadhaar OTP verification became mandatory for online Tatkal booking.

No Verification, No Ticket
“Passengers will not be able to get Tatkal tickets without verifying their identity through an OTP sent to their mobile,” said Singhal.

Tatkal tickets can still be booked through:

• IRCTC’s official website
• Mobile app
• Indian Railways PRS counters

However, only after OTP authentication will the booking be confirmed.

What Passengers Must Do
Passengers must now:

• Carry a mobile phone with a SIM card linked to their Aadhaar number
• Make sure their IRCTC profile is linked to Aadhaar to avoid last-minute problems

Even authorised agents will be able to book tickets only after OTP authentication, Singhal added.

No Bulk Bookings in the First 30 Minutes
To stop misuse, bulk booking won’t be allowed during the first 30 minutes of Tatkal bookings:

• From 10:00 am to 10:30 am for AC classes
• From 11:00 am to 11:30 am for non-AC classes

During this time, IRCTC agents and other authorised ticketing agents will be restricted from booking.

Railways Urge Passengers to Update Aadhaar Details
The railway administration has requested all passengers to link their Aadhaar with their booking profile as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience.

So next time you rush to book a last-minute train, make sure your Aadhaar and mobile number are ready, or you might miss the train!

Inputs from PTI