• Only Aadhaar authenticated users will be able to book tickets under the tatkal scheme from July 1, 2025, onwards.

• The Railways Ministry informed all zones that this decision was made to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal Scheme are received by the common end users.  

• The ministry has directed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to make the necessary modifications to the system and communicate these changes to all zonal railways. 

• Currently, there are more than 130 million active subscribers on the IRCTC website, of which only 12 million are Aadhaar-verified.

• With effect from July 1, tickets under tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) or its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users.

• Subsequently, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication shall also be made compulsory for Tatkal bookings from July 15, 2025, onwards. 

• Tatkal tickets shall be available for booking through computerised PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters of Indian Railways/authorised agents only after authentication of a system-generated OTP, which shall be sent through the system on the mobile number furnished by the users at the time of booking. This shall be implemented by July 15.   

• Authorised ticketing agents of the Indian Railways will not be permitted to book opening day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the Tatkal booking window. 

• Specifically, they will be restricted from booking Tatkal tickets for air-conditioned classes from 10 am to 10.30 am and for non-air-conditioned classes from 11 am to 11.30 am.

What is Aadhaar?

• Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique ID issued to an individual. Aadhaar uses demographic information (name, date of birth, gender and address), photograph of the face, fingerprints and iris to identify a resident. These items of information are mandatory.

• The objective of Aadhaar is to empower residents of India with a unique identity and digital platform only for the purpose of identity proof.

• Aadhaar number is a proof of identity. It does not confer any right of citizenship or domicile in respect of an Aadhaar number holder. 

• Under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, UIDAI is responsible for Aadhaar enrolment and authentication, including operation and management of all stages of Aadhaar life cycle, developing the policy, procedure and system for issuing Aadhaar numbers to individuals and perform authentication and the security of identity information and authentication records of individuals.

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