HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 12: In a move aimed at increasing transparency, improving accessibility, and ensuring fair ticket availability, Indian Railways has introduced a series of significant reforms in its Tatkal ticket booking system.
These measures are intended to safeguard the interests of genuine passengers, especially individual users and common travellers, while cracking down on systemic misuse and fraudulent practices.
According to an official statement, the reforms have been rolled out with the goal of ensuring that the Tatkal quota—originally meant for passengers requiring last-minute travel—is no longer disproportionately exploited by unauthorized agents and bot-based booking tools.
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The Indian Railways, through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), has already begun implementing some of these reforms, while others are slated for phased introduction in the coming weeks.
One of the most critical achievements cited in the official release is the identification and blocking of over 2.5 crore suspicious IRCTC user IDs over the past six months.
These accounts were reportedly linked to unfair booking practices, including the use of automated software or “bots” that circumvent normal booking procedures to hoard Tatkal tickets.
The removal of these users is said to have resulted in a noticeable improvement in the availability of confirmed tickets for genuine passengers, particularly across stations under the Northeast Frontier (N.F.) Railway zone.
To further strengthen the booking process, Indian Railways has initiated key software modifications which came into effect on June 12.
As part of this ongoing digital overhaul, more targeted enhancements are scheduled to be introduced in July. Beginning July 1, 2025, Tatkal bookings on the IRCTC app will only be permitted for Aadhaar-verified user accounts.
This will be followed by the introduction of an OTP-based Aadhaar authentication system on July 15, which adds an additional layer of identity verification to ensure the authenticity of the user.
In a major step to make the booking process more equitable, the Railways has reserved the first 30-minute window of Tatkal bookings exclusively for individual users.
From 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. for AC classes, and from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. for non-AC classes, only individual users will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website, app, or through PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters.
Travel agents and authorized agencies will only be permitted to book tickets after this initial window—beginning 10:30 a.m. for AC and 11:30 a.m. for non-AC classes—ensuring greater chances for individual passengers to secure confirmed seats.
To further bolster the authenticity of Tatkal bookings at railway station counters, Indian Railways is introducing a mobile number verification process.
With effect from July 15, 2025, passengers or their representatives booking Tatkal tickets at PRS counters will be required to provide a valid mobile number.
An OTP will be sent to this number, and only upon successful verification will the Tatkal ticket be issued. This measure aims to minimize fraudulent bookings and establish a clear traceability system for every Tatkal reservation made at railway counters.
At the same time, Indian Railways has clarified that the new Aadhaar requirements will apply only to individual users booking online Tatkal tickets.
Passengers without Aadhaar will still be permitted to book tickets through PRS counters and authorised agents, ensuring that the reforms do not exclude users lacking digital access or formal identification documents.
However, safeguards will remain in place to protect against misuse and uphold system integrity.
The Northeast Frontier Railway has been actively implementing these reforms across its network, ensuring their smooth rollout and effective enforcement.
According to the official statement, passengers across the region have already begun to experience the positive effects of these changes, reporting increased access to confirmed Tatkal tickets and improved user experience.
These initiatives mark a decisive step by Indian Railways toward creating a more passenger-friendly, transparent, and secure booking ecosystem.
By prioritising the needs of the common traveller and closing loopholes long exploited by unscrupulous actors, the reforms are expected to significantly improve the reliability and fairness of Tatkal bookings for millions across the country.
