India Introduces Mandatory OTP Verification For Tatkal Ticket Booking To Strengthen Rail Travel Security

Published on December 1, 2025

A significant security upgrade has been introduced within Indian Railways, bringing a new layer of verification to one of the fastest-moving booking categories in India’s travel and tourism network. From December 1, a mandatory OTP verification process has been rolled out for every Tatkal ticket booked across all platforms, including the IRCTC website, mobile app, and physical railway counters. This measure has been designed to create a more transparent reservation system, ensuring that tickets are secured only after a system-generated code is validated on the passenger’s registered mobile number. The initiative has been launched initially on the Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express and is planned to expand across other routes within India’s extensive rail grid. Through this change, the railway authorities have aimed to reduce misuse, improve efficiency during peak booking hours, and make the experience more seamless for genuine travellers. With the introduction of Aadhaar-based authentication during specific booking hours and the expansion of digital validation methods, the country’s railway ecosystem is being strengthened to support smoother domestic travel. These measures reflect a larger commitment by national authorities to enhance the overall reliability and fairness of ticket reservations for millions of passengers each year.

A New Verification Layer in India’s Rail Travel System

A new authentication process has been placed at the forefront of Tatkal ticket reservations in India, marking an important shift in how last-minute train travel will be secured. Indian Railways has implemented mandatory OTP validation for all Tatkal bookings, ensuring that a ticket will only be issued after a system-generated code is successfully confirmed by the passenger. This step has been introduced to create a more transparent system where genuine travellers gain better access to seats that are typically in high demand.

The reform has been rolled out from December 1 and has initially been applied to Train No. 12009/12010, the Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. After the introductory phase, the system has been scheduled for gradual expansion across various routes in India’s nationwide rail network. As Tatkal tickets are usually secured within minutes due to limited availability, the addition of a verification step has been intended to reduce chances of misuse and to ensure that every seat is allocated to a legitimate passenger.

Objective Behind the OTP-Based Mechanism

The primary purpose of this change has been to add an additional layer of transparency and fairness to Tatkal bookings. Over the years, the Tatkal category has remained extremely popular among travellers who rely on last-minute arrangements, especially during peak tourist seasons or urgent travel needs. However, the speed at which these seats are booked has often made the process vulnerable to manipulation. Through the OTP verification model, only passengers providing authenticated mobile details will be able to complete transactions, thereby reducing unauthorised bookings.

Officials have emphasised that the system has been designed to provide genuine travellers with better access to Tatkal seats. With a unique OTP sent to the passenger’s mobile number at the time of booking, only users who validate this code will be allowed to proceed. This has been viewed as a measure that aligns with the larger digital reforms being implemented throughout India’s transport sector.

Implementation Across All Booking Channels in India

As part of the nationwide overhaul, the new OTP verification system has been integrated across every platform through which Tatkal tickets are booked. This includes the IRCTC website, the official mobile application, and offline railway reservation counters. Regardless of the channel used, passengers will receive a system-generated code and must enter it successfully to receive their ticket.

Such uniform implementation has ensured that the experience remains consistent for domestic and international travellers within India. The integration at railway counters has also highlighted the government’s focus on modernising both digital and traditional methods of ticket issuance.

Aadhaar Authentication Requirement During Peak Booking Hours

Alongside the introduction of OTP verification, another important rule has been enforced within the reservation system. According to the latest update issued by IRCTC on October 28, 2025, Aadhaar authentication has been made mandatory for passengers booking tickets between 8 am and 10 am on the first day of reservation opening. This has been applied to manage the extremely high volume of bookings during these hours and to ensure that the identity of each user remains verifiable.

Passengers who have not completed Aadhaar verification have been allowed to book tickets outside the two-hour window. This distinction has been introduced to streamline the process during heavy traffic periods while offering flexibility throughout the rest of the day.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking a Tatkal Ticket in India (2025)

The Tatkal booking procedure has been designed to support quick reservations for travellers who require immediate confirmation. The following steps outline the updated process:

1. Logging In Before Booking Time

Travellers have been advised to log in to their IRCTC account a few minutes prior to the opening of Tatkal booking. This preparation helps avoid delays caused by peak traffic.

2. Selecting Travel Details

Passengers must enter their departure station, arrival station, and date of travel. Once this information is entered, the Tatkal booking option needs to be selected before searching for trains.

3. Choosing a Train and Class

After the search results appear, passengers may select their preferred train and class. Since Tatkal seats are limited, this step must be completed quickly.

4. Filling Passenger Information

Name, age, and gender details must be entered. The master list feature has been recommended for saving time, allowing passengers to store details for future use.

5. Completing the OTP Verification

Before payment, the new OTP will be sent automatically to the mobile number provided. The booking will proceed only after the passenger enters the correct code.

6. Finalizing the Payment

The final step requires completing the transaction using net banking, debit or credit cards, or authorised digital wallets. Once payment is successful, the ticket is issued.

Impact on Travel and Tourism Within India

With India hosting millions of domestic and international travellers every year, railway travel remains one of the most essential modes of transportation. The introduction of OTP verification has been expected to significantly improve reliability, especially during peak tourist periods when Tatkal seats are in high demand. By ensuring that each booking is linked to a verified phone number and identity, the updated system enhances trust for passengers using India’s extensive rail network.

These developments have been introduced to build confidence among travellers, streamline the booking experience, and reinforce India’s commitment to modernising travel infrastructure. As more trains integrate the OTP process, tourists navigating different regions of the country will benefit from a more secure reservation environment.