Will Only Aadhaar Authenticated Users Be Able to Book Tatkal Tickets on IRCTC from July 1?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Aadhaar authentication required for Tatkal bookings from July 1.
- Mandatory OTP verification for online bookings effective from July 15.
- Authorized agents restricted from booking during the initial 30 minutes.
- Efforts to combat ticket hoarding and misuse are underway.
- Passengers should link Aadhaar with their IRCTC profiles for seamless booking.
New Delhi, June 11 (NationPress) The Ministry of Railways revealed on Wednesday that starting July 1, Tatkal tickets purchased via the IRCTC official website and mobile app will be restricted to users who have undergone Aadhaar authentication.
Additionally, from July 15, Aadhaar-based OTP verification will be a requirement for online Tatkal bookings.
Bookings made at computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and via authorized agents will also necessitate OTP authentication sent to the mobile number provided during booking. This rule will also take effect on July 15.
To combat bulk bookings during the initial booking phase, authorized ticketing agents of Indian Railways will be prohibited from booking Tatkal tickets for the first 30 minutes on opening day.
This restriction is in place from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for AC classes and from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for non-AC classes.
These modifications aim to enhance transparency in Tatkal bookings and ensure that the benefits of the scheme reach genuine users, as stated in the official announcement.
The CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Services) and IRCTC have been directed to implement necessary system changes and notify all Zonal Railways and relevant departments accordingly.
The Ministry of Railways has urged passengers to be aware of these updates and to link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC profiles to avoid potential issues.
These steps are intended to ensure equitable access to Tatkal tickets and protect the interests of authentic travelers. The changes will strengthen user verification and mitigate the misuse of the scheme, according to the statement.
Indian Railways has previously cracked down on Tatkal booking abuses, identifying and deactivating 2.5 crore fake IDs and flagging another 20 lakh for revalidation. Some accounts were found to use disposable email addresses to hoard tickets and resell them at higher prices. IRCTC is employing AI-driven tools to monitor and identify bot activities that were exploited by touts to bulk book tickets, forcing genuine travelers to pay exorbitant prices.