Indian Railways Introduces Stricter Tatkal Booking Rules – E-Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory
Indian Railways Introduces Stricter Tatkal Booking Rules to Curb Malpractices
In a significant move to combat ticket fraud and ensure fair access for genuine passengers, Indian Railways will soon make e-Aadhaar authentication mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the new rule on social media, stating that the measure aims to prevent misuse by bots and unauthorized agents while prioritizing legitimate travelers.
No Aadhaar, No Tatkal: New Rule Explained
Starting later this month, passengers must verify their identity using e-Aadhaar authentication to book Tatkal tickets. Those who link their IRCTC accounts with Aadhaar will enjoy an exclusive 10-minute priority window before general booking opens—a privilege even authorized agents won’t have. Unverified users, meanwhile, must wait three days after registration before accessing Tatkal or Premium Tatkal bookings.
Railways’ War Against Bots and Fraud
The new rule is part of a broader crackdown on automated ticket hoarding. Officials revealed that over 2.5 crore suspicious user IDs have been deactivated in the past six months, with AI-driven systems continuously monitoring for bot activity. These efforts have already yielded results: on May 22, 2025, a record 31,814 tickets were booked in just one minute.
To further enhance efficiency, Indian Railways has partnered with a leading Content Delivery Network (CDN), ensuring faster load times and reducing server strain. Currently, 87% of static content is served via CDN, improving the IRCTC platform’s reliability.
Impact on Passengers and Future Measures
The changes have led to a 20% increase in daily logins and an 11.85% rise in ticket bookings in FY 2024-25. E-ticketing now accounts for 86% of reserved tickets, highlighting the shift toward digital convenience.
Railways is also encouraging passengers to report fraud via the Cyber Crime Portal, reinforcing its commitment to a fair and secure booking system. With these reforms, Indian Railways aims to make last-minute travel smoother and more accessible for genuine passengers.
