Indian Railways is preparing to roll out a major reform in the Tatkal ticket booking system, aiming to curb misuse and ensure fair access for genuine passengers. Under the upcoming rule change, e-Aadhaar verification will become mandatory while booking Tatkal tickets, marking a significant shift in how last-minute railway reservations are handled in India.

The decision has been taken to stop large-scale misuse of the Tatkal scheme by ticket agents, bots, and illegal booking software that often block seats within seconds of bookings opening.

Why Tatkal Booking Is Being Reformed

The Tatkal ticket scheme was introduced to help passengers who need to travel at short notice. However, over the years, the system has been repeatedly criticized for being dominated by agents and automated booking tools. As a result, genuine travelers often struggle to secure tickets, even when they log in exactly at the booking time.

To address this issue, Indian Railways is strengthening its verification process and tightening access during the most crucial booking window.

What Is the New Tatkal Rule?

Under the new system, passengers will be required to complete e-Aadhaar authentication at the time of booking a Tatkal ticket. This means every user must digitally verify their identity before proceeding with the reservation.

Railway authorities have confirmed three key changes:

• Aadhaar-based verification will be compulsory for Tatkal bookings
• For the first 10 minutes, only Aadhaar-linked user accounts will be allowed to book tickets
• Booking agents will be blocked from accessing Tatkal tickets during this initial window

These steps are expected to significantly reduce fraudulent bookings and ensure tickets reach passengers who genuinely need them.

Official Confirmation from the Railway Ministry

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently confirmed the move, stating that digital identity verification is essential to stop fake accounts and automated systems from manipulating the booking process.

According to the ministry, Aadhaar authentication will help verify that each ticket is being booked by a real individual, not by scripts or bots operating multiple accounts simultaneously.

Role of IRCTC in the New System

The updated Tatkal booking rules will be implemented through IRCTC, which manages online railway reservations. Users will need to ensure that their IRCTC accounts are linked with Aadhaar in advance to avoid last-minute issues.

Passengers without Aadhaar-linked accounts may still be able to book Tatkal tickets, but only after the initial 10-minute priority window closes.

How Aadhaar Verification Will Benefit Passengers

The introduction of e-Aadhaar verification is expected to bring several advantages:

• Reduced influence of ticket agents and middlemen
• Fairer access to Tatkal seats for common passengers
• Improved transparency in the booking process
• Better system performance during peak booking hours

Railway officials believe that once the system stabilizes, passengers will notice a visible improvement in ticket availability during Tatkal hours.

Tatkal Ticket Booking Timings You Should Know

Tatkal tickets are available one day before the train’s scheduled departure, excluding the date of the journey.

Booking timings remain unchanged:

• 10:00 AM – For AC classes
• 11:00 AM – For Sleeper class

Nearly 20% of total seats in select trains are reserved under the Tatkal quota, making it a crucial option for emergency and last-minute travel.

What Passengers Should Do Now

To avoid inconvenience once the new rule comes into effect, passengers are advised to:

• Link their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC account
• Ensure Aadhaar details match booking information
• Avoid third-party agents for Tatkal reservations

Railway authorities are expected to issue detailed implementation guidelines soon, including the exact rollout date and step-by-step instructions.

Final Word

The mandatory Aadhaar verification rule for Tatkal tickets reflects Indian Railways’ broader push towards digital security and passenger-first reforms. While the change may require a small adjustment from users, it promises a more transparent, fair, and reliable Tatkal booking experience — especially for travelers who truly need last-minute confirmed tickets.