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In a bid to eliminate the influence of middlemen in Tatkal ticket bookings, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday that Aadhaar-based OTP verification will become a mandatory step starting July 1.

The move aims to streamline the process, enhance transparency, and ensure that genuine passengers benefit from the booking facility, reported ANI.

Passenger Charts May Soon Be Released a Day Early

Beyond changes in Tatkal bookings, the Railways is also working towards addressing the inconvenience faced by wait-listed and RAC ticket holders. Presently, reservation charts are prepared four hours prior to the departure of a train. To provide clarity to passengers earlier, the Railways plans to issue passenger reservation charts 24 hours in advance.

A pilot project for this change has already been underway in the Bikaner division, receiving positive feedback from passengers. "This will be implemented across the country soon," the minister confirmed. The advancement of chart preparation is expected to offer wait-listed passengers more time to make alternate arrangements if their tickets do not get confirmed.

Staggered Rollout of New Verification Process

The modifications to the Tatkal booking process were first announced last week, with Indian Railways targeting a fairer and more transparent system. Beginning July 1, users booking Tatkal tickets through IRCTC’s website or mobile app must authenticate themselves using Aadhaar credentials. From July 15, OTP-based authentication will become compulsory for all online Tatkal bookings.

The new system also covers tickets booked at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and through authorised agents. In these cases, an OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided at the time of booking, ensuring identity verification across all booking channels.

Restrictions on Agents During Initial Booking Window

To further curb the influence of bulk bookings during the initial rush period, Indian Railways has imposed additional limitations on authorised agents. Under the revised rules, these agents will be barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the daily booking window. For AC classes, this window runs from 10:00 am to 10:30 am, while for non-AC classes, it extends from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.

These steps are aimed at ensuring that common passengers get a fair chance to secure Tatkal tickets, which often sell out within minutes of becoming available. The Railways hopes that these changes will restore trust in the system and significantly limit the role of intermediaries.

Both CRIS and IRCTC have been directed to implement the necessary system updates, while Zonal Railways and relevant departments have been informed to ensure smooth nationwide adoption of these reforms.