Planning to book a Tatkal ticket soon? Starting July 1, 2025, Indian Railways has introduced a crucial change that could affect many travelers relying on last-minute bookings.
Tatkal tickets are often a lifesaver when regular bookings are waitlisted or unavailable. They offer a higher chance of confirmed seats, especially for urgent travel. But now, the rules have changed — and it’s important to act quickly.
🔐 What’s the New Rule?
From July 1 onward, only users with Aadhaar-verified IRCTC accounts will be allowed to book Tatkal tickets. This means:
- If your Aadhaar card is not linked to your IRCTC account, you won’t be able to use the Tatkal service.
- You’ll still be allowed to book normal tickets, but Tatkal bookings will be restricted to verified users only.
👤 Why This Matters
The change is aimed at improving the transparency and security of the booking process. However, for frequent travelers and those who rely on last-minute tickets, not linking Aadhaar in time could lead to missed opportunities and travel delays.
✅ How to Link Aadhaar to Your IRCTC Account
To avoid any disruption in your travel plans, follow these steps:
- Visit the official IRCTC website: www.irctc.co.in
- Log in using your IRCTC user ID, password, and captcha.
- Go to the “My Profile” section.
- Click on “Aadhaar KYC”.
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
- You’ll get an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Enter the OTP and complete the verification process.
Once done, your IRCTC account will be Aadhaar-verified and eligible for Tatkal bookings.
💡 Quick Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute. Complete your Aadhaar linking before July 1 to ensure uninterrupted access to Tatkal ticketing.
