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New rules from July 15 aim to stop bulk bookings and help genuine passengers get a fair chance
This move is expected to reduce unfair bulk bookings and improve chances for individual passengers. (Representative/Shutterstock)
The Indian Railways has officially made Aadhaar OTP verification mandatory for online Tatkal bookings starting July 15.
This change, announced by Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Northern Railway’s Jammu Division, is aimed at promoting fairness and curbing misuse during the last-minute rush.
Why the New Rule?
To stop the misuse of Tatkal tickets and bulk bookings by agents, Indian Railways has introduced Aadhaar-based OTP verification. Now, while booking a Tatkal ticket on the IRCTC website, mobile app or at PRS counters, passengers must enter a one-time password sent to their Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
“Passengers will not be able to get Tatkal tickets without verification through mobile OTP,” said Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Jammu Division, Northern Railway, as per The Tribune.
How Will It Work?
To book a Tatkal ticket online through the IRCTC website, app, or at Indian Railways PRS counters, you’ll now have to:
- Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Verify it through a One-Time Password (OTP) sent by the Railway Reservation System.
- Carry the mobile device linked with Aadhaar while booking.
Without completing this verification, your Tatkal booking will not be processed.
No Bulk Bookings for First 30 Minutes
To further safeguard the process, authorised ticket agents won’t be allowed to book Tatkal tickets during the initial 30 minutes of the booking window.
- For AC class: Agents blocked from 10 am to 10:30 am
- For non-AC class: Agents blocked from 11 am to 11:30 am
This move is expected to reduce unfair bulk bookings and improve chances for individual passengers.
What Should Passengers Do Now?
- Link Aadhaar to your IRCTC account
- Keep your Aadhaar-linked mobile handy during booking
- Avoid using agents during the first 30 minutes of Tatkal opening.
Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: ‘Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.’ This motto c…Read More
Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: ‘Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.’ This motto c… Read More
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