Aadhaar Now Mandatory for Tatkal Train Ticket Bookings: A Game Changer for Passengers
In a significant move aimed at curbing misuse and ensuring fair access to last-minute train travel, Indian Railways has announced that e-Aadhaar verification will soon be mandatory for Tatkal ticket bookings. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed this development
India Daily News 
In a significant move aimed at curbing misuse and ensuring fair access to last-minute train travel, Indian Railways has announced that e-Aadhaar verification will soon be mandatory for Tatkal ticket bookings. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed this development, stating that the new rule will help genuine users secure confirmed tickets when needed most. This initiative is part of a broader digital transformation push by the Indian Railways, spearheaded by the Centre for Railway Information System (CRIS).
Why the Change? Battling Fraud and Bots
Tatkal tickets, designed for urgent travel, have long been plagued by issues of unauthorized agents and bots exploiting the system. These malpractices often lead to genuine passengers being unable to secure tickets, despite the urgency of their travel plans. A common tactic involved creating multiple fake profiles using disposable email addresses and phone numbers, allowing agents to make numerous booking attempts for a single individual. The new e-Aadhaar authentication aims to eliminate these unfair practices by establishing a robust identity verification mechanism.
Key Highlights of the New Policy
- Mandatory Aadhaar Linking: Users will be required to link their Aadhaar number to their IRCTC login ID for booking Tatkal tickets. This will apply to both online bookings via the IRCTC website and mobile app, and potentially for counter-based bookings in the future.
- Priority for Aadhaar-Verified Users: Accounts linked with Aadhaar will receive priority access during the first 10 minutes of Tatkal ticket sales. This critical window, which often sees maximum bookings, will be exclusively for genuine, Aadhaar-authenticated individual users.
- Restriction on Authorized Agents: During the initial 10-minute priority window, authorized IRCTC agents will not be permitted to book Tatkal tickets, further ensuring that individual travelers have a better chance.
- Aadhaar-Based OTP Authentication: At the time of booking, a One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to the Aadhaar-linked mobile number for verification, adding another layer of security and identity confirmation.
- Combatting Fraudulent Accounts: The Indian Railways has already been leveraging AI-powered systems to identify and deactivate suspicious user IDs. This has led to a significant drop in the daily creation of new user IDs on the IRCTC platform and the blocking of millions of fraudulent accounts. The mandatory Aadhaar verification will further strengthen these efforts.
- Enhanced Transparency and Efficiency: By linking every ticket purchase to a valid Aadhaar identification, the system aims to create a more transparent and equitable ticketing process, reducing fraudulent bookings and improving overall access for genuine passengers.
What This Means for Travellers
For millions of train travelers in India, this new Aadhaar requirement is expected to bring a smoother and more transparent Tatkal booking experience. It is highly recommended that frequent train travelers update their IRCTC profiles with their Aadhaar details at the earliest to avoid any last-minute hiccups.
This move is a significant step towards modernizing the railway ticketing system and ensuring that the Tatkal quota serves its intended purpose: providing urgent travel options to those who genuinely need them. While the implementation will require adaptation from users, the long-term benefits of a more secure and fair booking environment are expected to outweigh the initial adjustments.
