New Delhi: In a decisive move to crack down on unauthorized agents and fraudulent booking practices, the Ministry of Railways has announced that linking Aadhaar to IRCTC accounts will be mandatory for all Tatkal ticket bookings, effective from July 1, 2025. The measure applies to both online and offline reservations and marks a significant tightening of identity verification within the railway ticketing system.

As per the latest directive issued by the Railways on June 10, users will not be able to book Tatkal tickets unless their IRCTC account is authenticated with Aadhaar. This change aims to address growing concerns over ticket hoarding by touts and unauthorized agents, who often exploit technical loopholes or use fake accounts to block large numbers of Tatkal tickets for resale at inflated prices.

In addition, from July 15, 2025, passengers booking Tatkal tickets will be required to complete an OTP (One-Time Password) verification process linked to their Aadhaar number. This added layer of security is expected to ensure that tickets are being purchased only by legitimate users for genuine travel needs.

This policy shift is expected to significantly reduce the role of third-party booking agents in the Tatkal system. By mandating Aadhaar-based identification for each booking, the Railways effectively eliminates the anonymity often used by middlemen to manipulate the system. The move aligns with the government’s broader push towards Digital India, transparency, and the elimination of black-market practices in public services.

The Ministry also clarified that the directive is not limited to online bookings via the IRCTC website or mobile app. Passengers purchasing Tatkal tickets at railway reservation counters will also need to present Aadhaar-based identification, ensuring uniformity across all booking channels.

Railway officials emphasized that these changes will enhance the integrity and fairness of the Tatkal booking process, which was originally designed to help genuine last-minute travelers. In recent years, misuse of the system by touts has made it increasingly difficult for ordinary passengers to secure confirmed tickets during peak hours.

“With Aadhaar-based verification, we’re closing the gaps that have long been exploited by middlemen. This will ensure that tickets are accessible to real passengers, not hoarded for profit,” said a senior official from the Ministry.

The new Aadhaar mandate is part of the Railways’ ongoing digitization drive. From UTS mobile ticketing to QR code-based platform access, Indian Railways has been steadily moving toward a paperless and identity-secure travel ecosystem. Officials also hinted that similar Aadhaar-based policies may be extended to other categories of train tickets in the near future to maintain consistency and ensure secure, transparent transactions.

While many passengers welcomed the initiative for its potential to curb corruption and ticket scams, some expressed concerns about digital literacy and access, especially among rural populations. In response, railway officials stated that awareness campaigns and support services will be rolled out at major stations to help travelers update their IRCTC profiles with Aadhaar.

The Ministry of Railways has also instructed ticketing counters and cyber cafés assisting with bookings to educate users about the new requirements and help them complete Aadhaar linkage well before the deadline.

In conclusion, the Railways' Aadhaar-based Tatkal reform is a bold step aimed at restoring fairness to a system plagued by misuse. By minimizing human intermediaries and maximizing digital verification, the move seeks to empower genuine travelers, boost system efficiency, and safeguard public resources from exploitation.