Passengers booking Tatkal tickets at railway reservation counters will now be required to verify a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their mobile phones before the booking is confirmed. The Railway Ministry has rolled out this new system to prevent misuse of the last-minute ticketing facility and to ensure that genuine travellers have fair access to high-demand seats.
The OTP-based verification was first introduced on November 17 as part of a pilot project. Initially applied to a limited number of routes, the system has been expanded to 52 trains so far. The ministry confirmed that the feature will be implemented across all remaining trains in the coming days.
How the new rule works
Explaining the procedure, the ministry said passengers must provide a valid mobile number while filling out the reservation form at railway counters to book Tatkal tickets. An OTP will then be sent to that number, which must be successfully verified for the booking to go through.
“The ticket is confirmed only after successful OTP verification,” officials said.
According to railway officials, the rule primarily targets illegal agents and touts, who often use unfair means to corner Tatkal tickets. By linking each booking to a mobile number and real-time verification, the Railways aims to block fraudulent practices and ensure that more seats remain available to genuine travellers.
Part of a wider crackdown on ticketing fraud
This move adds to a string of reforms recently launched by the ministry. In July, the Railways introduced Aadhaar-based OTP verification for online Tatkal bookings. Starting October 1, only Aadhaar-authenticated users are allowed to book reserved general tickets during the first 15 minutes of opening on the IRCTC website or app.
Officials maintain these measures are necessary to give common passengers a better opportunity to secure confirmed tickets, especially during peak travel seasons.
How to book Tatkal tickets online: Updated rules for 2025
- Log in before booking time opens
- Select the “Tatkal” option while searching trains
- Enter passenger details like name, age and gender
- Complete payment quickly using cards, net banking or wallets
Under the latest IRCTC update effective October 28, 2025, Aadhaar authentication is mandatory for booking tickets between 8 am-10 am on the first day of reservation opening. Users without Aadhaar verification may book outside these hours.