Passengers who have not linked and verified their Aadhaar numbers with their IRCTC accounts will no longer be able to book tatkal tickets online from July 1. The Indian Railways has yet to clarify if other identity documents will be accepted for online bookings in the absence of Aadhaar verification. Until then, those without Aadhaar-linked IRCTC accounts will have to book tatkal tickets exclusively at physical reservation counters.

In a bid to put an end to the rampant misuse of illegal ticket-booking software, the Indian Railways is set to roll out an OTP-based Aadhaar verification system for all tatkal bookings, both online and offline, starting July 15. This verification process will apply to bookings made via the Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and even through authorised railway agents.

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The move is expected to slow down the booking process enough to prevent touts from instantly securing tickets, a common practice on high-demand routes. Currently, 2.25 lakh tatkal tickets are sold daily across India, many of them snapped up within seconds using such unfair means. These tickets are often resold at inflated prices, with profit margins soaring up to 200%.

How to link Aadhaar with IRCTC account

To ensure eligibility for tatkal e-bookings, passengers must link and verify their Aadhaar details on the IRCTC portal or app. Here’s how:

  1. Log in to your IRCTC account via the website or mobile app.
  2. Go to the “Profile” section and click on “Link Aadhaar”.
  3. Enter your Aadhaar number and full name as per the Aadhaar card.
  4. Tick the consent checkbox and click “Send OTP”.
  5. Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
  6. Upon successful verification, a confirmation message will be sent, completing the KYC update.

Reservation chart to be released 8 hours before departure

In another passenger-friendly move, the Indian Railways will advance the timing for final reservation chart preparation. From July 1, the chart will be ready eight hours prior to train departure, instead of the current four-hour window.

According to a railway statement, “Passengers arriving from nearby areas face uncertainty if their waitlisted tickets aren’t confirmed in time. Preparing the chart earlier will help them plan better.” The decision was approved by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who instructed that the change be implemented in phases to ensure a smooth transition.

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Modern reservation system coming by December

The Indian Railways has also confirmed plans to roll out a Modern Passenger Reservation System (PRS) by the end of December 2025. Railway Minister Vaishnaw recently reviewed the ongoing upgrade work being carried out by the Centre For Railway Information Systems (CRIS).

The modernised PRS is expected to improve efficiency, transparency, and user experience across the board.