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Tatkal Tickets Booking Online Rules: In a major update to the Tatkal ticketing process, a key change has been introduced: Tatkal tickets will now only be issued after the verification of a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to the passenger’s mobile number.

When booking a Tatkal ticket, an OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided at the time of booking. The ticket will be issued only after the OTP has been successfully verified.

Passengers are urged to ensure they provide a valid mobile number at the time of booking to facilitate a smooth OTP verification process. Here's everything you need to know about the new system.

Tatkal Ticket Booking New Rules 2025: What's New?

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Western Railways announced the following, "Western Railway is implementing an important change in the Tatkal booking system as per the instructions of the Railway Board. Now, Tatkal tickets will be issued only after verification of the One-Time Password (OTP) sent by the system. This OTP will be sent to the mobile number provided by the passenger at the time of booking. The ticket will be issued only upon successful verification of the OTP. Passengers are requested to ensure that they provide a valid mobile number at the time of booking, so that the OTP verification process can be completed smoothly."

OTP-Based Tatkal Booking: New Rules to Begin From December 1, 2025

The OTP-based Tatkal ticket booking system will roll out in phases, starting at railway station counters on select trains. This is part of an effort to enhance the security and transparency of the Tatkal booking process.

Vineet Abhishek, Chief Public Relations Officer for Western Railway, confirmed that the OTP-based system will officially begin at 12:00 AM on December 1, 2025 as per ETNow News.

In the first phase, it will be implemented on Train No. 12009/12010, the Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. The system will later be extended to other trains across the network.

Additionally, the OTP system will be introduced on the Sabarmati-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (Train No. 12957/12958) starting December 4, with updates as reported by Patrika News.

This new OTP verification requirement will be applicable across all Tatkal booking channels, including the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, authorised agents, the IRCTC website, and the mobile app. 

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Tatkal Booking Rules For 2025: How To Book Tatkal Tickets

You can book Tatkal tickets through the official IRCTC website or other authorized travel platforms. Here’s a quick guide on how to book:

1. Log in to your IRCTC account before the booking time.

2. Enter your source and destination stations, as well as the date of your journey.

3. Select the 'Tatkal' quota option in the search form. Search for available trains and select your preferred option.

4. Fill in passenger details (name, age, gender, etc.). You can save time by using the "master list" feature to store your details.

5. Make payment quickly using methods like net banking, credit/debit cards, or payment wallets. Ensure a stable internet connection to complete the transaction efficiently.

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Note: As per the latest IRCTC update, “With effect from October, 28, 2025 only Aadhaar-authenticated users are allowed to book tickets between 8 am to 10 am on the first day of opening of reserved ticket booking.” While non-Aadhaar verified users can still book tickets outside this two-hour window, Aadhaar verification will be mandatory for Tatkal bookings during the initial hours on the first day of reservation.

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