The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is set to introduce a significant change for passengers looking to book Tatkal train tickets. From July 1, 2025, the IRCTC will make it mandatory for all users to complete Aadhaar authentication when booking Tatkal tickets through both the IRCTC website and the mobile app.
With this new mandate, the IRCTC aims to streamline the booking process and enhance security. Additionally, from July 15, 2025, an Aadhaar-based One-Time Password (OTP) will become a necessary step for all online train ticket reservations, thus adding an extra layer of verification to the booking system.
How to authenticate Aadhaar in your IRCTC account
To ensure a smooth Tatkal booking experience from July 2025 onwards, users are advised to authenticate their Aadhaar details within their IRCTC accounts beforehand. The process is listed below:
– Access your IRCTC account either through the official website or the mobile app.
– Once logged in, locate and select the ‘My Account’ section.
– Within ‘My Account,’ choose the ‘Authenticate User’ option.
– You will be prompted to enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number or your Virtual ID.
– An OTP will be sent to the mobile number that is linked to your Aadhaar. Enter this OTP into the IRCTC platform to complete the authentication process.
Linking Aadhaar to your IRCTC Account (if not already linked):
For users whose Aadhaar is not yet linked to their IRCTC account, here’s how to do it:
– Sign in to the IRCTC portal.
– Click on the “Link Aadhaar” option located under the “profile tab.”
– Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card, along with your Aadhaar number.
– Verify the details by entering the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
