IRCTC: It is not easy to book tickets immediately on the IRCTC app because all the tickets are booked in less than half an hour of opening the window. The biggest reason for this is that there is a lot of fake booking. Now new rules have been made to prevent fake booking and make the system transparent. Now it will be mandatory to authenticate through Aadhaar on booking tickets immediately. These rules may apply by the end of June 2025. This rule will be applicable to all users who book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC portal.
Why make new rules
Indian Railways has prepared to make E-Aadhaar Authentication mandatory in Tatkal ticket booking to increase transparency in ticketing and prevent fake booking. This new rule was told by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav on 3 June 2025 that now Aadhaar authentication will be made necessary in Tatkal ticket booking so that only real passengers can get confirmed tickets.
What is Aadhaar Authentication?
Aadhaar Authentication means that when you submit your Aadhaar number and information related to it (such as name, date of birth, gender or biometric details) on UIDAI’s site, it is checked whether the information given is correct or not. This makes it sure that the person booking the ticket is real.
How to book Tatkal tickets from IRCTC portal?
Login on the IRCTC website (irctc.co.in).
Choose the date of travel, station (from – to) and class.
Choose the Tatkal option in Quota.
Select any train and class from the train list.
Click on the Book Now button.
Fill the passenger’s name, age, gender, seat choice, and mobile number.
Enter the captcha code and click on Continue.
Fare, tax and seat availability will be seen on the screen.
Click on Continue and go to the payment page.
Choose payment option (Net Banking, Card, UPI etc.).
Click on Pay & Book and book tickets.
After booking, information about the ticket confirmed through SMS is received.
Necessary questions related to TATKAL Ticket Booking (FAQs)
What is Tatkal ticket booking time?
For AC Class: 10:00 am
For non-AC class: 11:00 am
Booking takes place one day before the date of journey (eg if the journey is on the 5th, then Tatkal booking will open on the 4th).
Can Tatkal booking be done two days before the journey?
No, Tatkal booking can be done only one day in advance.
How many passengers can be added to a tatkal ticket?
A maximum of 4 passengers can be added to a booking (PNR).
Do senior citizens get discounts in TATKAL?
No, there is no discount in Tatkal quota, whether it is senior citizens or others.
What are the methods of payment for TATKAL ticket?
Net banking
Credit / Debit Card
IRCTC E-Wallet
Wallets like Paytm, Amazon Pay
Why is the new Aadhaar rule important?
IRCTC has a lot of demand for Tatkal tickets and some people book tickets wrongly in it. Due to this, common passengers do not get confirmed tickets. Aadhaar Verification will ensure that the person who books the ticket is real and cannot book tickets from the wrong ID again and again.
If you plan to travel early and book Tatkal tickets, now you will get a ticket by linking to Aadhaar. All the passengers are advised to link their Aadhaar number before the IRCTC account, so that there is no problem at the time of booking.
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