From July 2025, Aadhaar-linked and KYC-verified IRCTC accounts are mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets.
OTP verification via your Aadhaar-linked mobile number will be required during every Tatkal booking from July 15.
Both Aadhaar linking and authentication must be completed in advance to avoid booking failures or delays.
Starting July 1, 2025, booking a Tatkal train ticket won’t be as simple as logging in and clicking “Book Now.” Indian Railways has introduced a major change. Only passengers who have linked and verified their Aadhaar with their IRCTC account can access Tatkal booking during the first 30 minutes.
Come July 15, you’ll need to enter an Aadhaar-based OTP during booking as well. This isn’t just another update. It’s a filter. One is designed to slow down bots and middlemen, and speed up the system for real passengers.
From July 1, 2025: Only users who’ve linked their Aadhaar and completed KYC can book Tatkal tickets in the first 30 minutes.
From July 15, 2025: An OTP to your Aadhaar-linked mobile will now be a must for every Tatkal booking.
Why the change? To make the system cleaner, fairer, and harder to exploit. Simple as that.
Also Read: AI Risk: ChatGPT Can Generate Fake Aadhaar and PAN Cards
This adds your Aadhaar details to your account. Here's how:
Log in to the IRCTC website or app
Go to ‘My Account’ → ‘Link Your Aadhaar’ under the Profile section
Enter your full name as per Aadhaar and the 12-digit Aadhaar number
Tick the consent box and click Send OTP
Enter the code sent to your mobile number linked with Aadhaar
Click Verify OTP then Update
A pop-up appears: “Aadhaar verified successfully. KYC details are now up to date.”
Once linked, you also need to authenticate it for Tatkal use:
Go to ‘My Account’ → ‘Authenticate User’
Enter Aadhaar or Virtual ID
Click Verify Details
Enter OTP again → Submit
Check for a successful authentication message or retry if it fails
Many users skip this step, and that’s where the problems begin.
Linking and authentication are both required. Doing one without the other won’t help.
OTP will be asked during booking (from July 15), not just during setup.
Make sure your Aadhaar has the correct phone number. If not, update it via UIDAI.
Add Aadhaar-authenticated passengers to your Master List for faster checkouts.
If authentication fails, recheck the Aadhaar number or mobile link and try again.
It might feel like one more hoop, but this one matters. With tighter Aadhaar checks, there’s finally a shot at fairer, bot-free Tatkal bookings. And once set up, the process becomes smoother with no scrambling, no error messages, no wasted time.
Also Read: Aadhaar Security Breach? Find Out Who's Using Your Number Now
If you are a Tatkal traveler, take five minutes now to link Aadhaar. The process consists of complete verification and checking your mobile number. It’ll spare you many problems later and give you the luxury of booking your Tatkal tickets in a completely secure manner.