Indian Railways introduces 3 big rules for ticket booking! Know them or else you will not be able to get ticket to travel in trains
Indian Railways is introducing new rules for booking train tickets on the IRCTC website and app, effective from 1st July 2025. As per the latest update, passengers will now require Aadhaar authentication to book Tatkal train tickets. Plus Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will also become mandatory for Tatkal bookings from 15th July 2025.
Aadhaar Authentication for Tatkal Ticket Bookings
Railways have recently changed 3 major rules related to ticket booking. Ministry of Railways has introduced new rules top stop unauthorized ticket bookings, ensure genuine passengers get confirmed train tickets. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had shared on X (twitter) about this new change.
OTP will be mandatory from July 15
From July 01, 2025, only Aadhaar verified users will be able to book tickets through the IRCTC website or app, whereas after this, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will also be made mandatory for Tatkal Booking from July 15, 2025.
Restrictions on Ticket Booking Agents
Indian Railways has also imposed restrictions on agents for railway ticket bookings. Agents will no longer be allowed to book Tatkal tickets for AC classes between 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM and for non-AC classes between 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
Railways will let you know 24 hours before whether Your Ticket is confirmed or not
Previously, if you book a train ticket, the chart is prepared 4 hours before the train departs and it tells whether your ticket is confirmed or not.
Now, Indian Railways is also testing a new pilot project where reservation charts may be prepared 24 hours before train departure. It will let the passengers know the confirmation status of their tickets 24 hours in advance so that they can plan an alternate mode of transport.
Tatkal Booking timings
Tatkal booking for AC coaches starts at 10 AM, for sleeper classes ticket booking begins at 11 AM daily. Passengers are advised to log in 3-5 minutes before the booking time.
Passengers should add the travellers details, payment method, and contact details early to avoid last-minute hassle during ticket bookings.
