A common grievance among Indian railway passengers has been the unavailability of Tatkal tickets due to mass bookings by travel agents and certain organizations. To address this issue and ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal scheme reach genuine travelers, the Ministry of Railways has decided to implement mandatory Aadhaar authentication for booking Tatkal tickets.
Starting July 1, 2025, only users who have linked their Aadhaar with their IRCTC accounts will be able to book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app. This move is aimed at curbing bulk bookings and making the Tatkal system more transparent and accessible to the general public. A circular issued on June 10, 2025, confirmed this decision, emphasizing the need to safeguard the interests of individual travelers.
In the second phase of implementation, beginning July 15, 2025, Aadhaar-based OTP (One-Time Password) authentication will also become mandatory at the time of booking Tatkal tickets. The Railway Ministry has stated that this step is part of its broader effort to simplify the ticket booking process while enhancing passenger safety and convenience.
How to Complete Aadhaar Authentication for Your IRCTC Account
To complete Aadhaar authentication, follow these steps:
1. Visit the official IRCTC website or open the IRCTC mobile app.
2. Log in using your IRCTC account credentials.
3. Go to the “Authenticate User” section in your profile.
4. Enter your Aadhaar number, PAN number, or Virtual ID as required.
5. Review your details and click “Confirm.”
6. Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
7. Submit to complete the authentication process.
Once successful, you can check your Aadhaar authentication status within your IRCTC profile.
How to Link Aadhaar with Your IRCTC Account
To link your Aadhaar number with your IRCTC account:
1. Visit the official IRCTC website.
2. Log in using your account credentials.
3. Under the “Profile” tab, select “Link Aadhaar.”
4. Enter your full name as it appears on the Aadhaar card and provide your Aadhaar number.
5. Check the consent box and click “Send OTP.”
6. Enter the OTP received on your Aadhaar-registered mobile number and confirm.
7. Your KYC details will be fetched from UIDAI, and once verified, click “Update.
A confirmation pop-up will notify you that your Aadhaar has been successfully linked and verified.
Note: Ensure your mobile number is already linked with your Aadhaar, as OTPs for authentication and ticket bookings will be sent to this number.
This initiative is expected to make the Tatkal booking system more efficient, fair, and secure, preventing misuse while ensuring that tickets are available to passengers who truly need them.
