Indian Railways Introduces OTP for Tatkal Ticket Booking

Indian Railways Introduces OTP for Tatkal Ticket Booking

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Indian Railways is enhancing Tatkal ticket security by introducing OTP verification at station counters to reduce fraud and ensure genuine bookings. This step will soon be implemented across all trains nationwide, streamlining the booking process.

Tatkal Ticket Booking and Its Challenges

• • About: The Tatkal scheme is a service by Indian Railways that allows passengers to book train tickets on short notice, typically on the day before the journey. It was launched by Indian Railways in 1997. The scheme lets passengers book seats either via offline counters at railway stations or online through IRCTC.

• Purpose: Tatkal serves as a quick‑booking facility for last‑minute travel plans. Most reserved tickets on regular quota get exhausted well in advance, Tatkal becomes the only viable option for travellers needing immediate booking. This makes the scheme extremely popular across the country.

• • Booking Windows: Under Tatkal, booking windows open shortly before journey date for most trains, one day prior to journey (excluding day of travel). The window is short and demand is unpredictable, many travellers compete heavily for a limited number of seats.

• Challenges: One major problem is misuse by agents and automated bots. Fraudsters often create fake or multiple accounts on IRCTC. They use high‑speed automated software to book tickets immediately when the Tatkal window opens, sometimes even before genuine users get a chance. Moreover, fake accounts linked to fictitious or duplicate details create a false demand. These tickets are then sold in black‑market at inflated prices by scalpers. This exploitative practice undermines trust in the system. High server load, lack of effective identity verification, and delays in payment processing contribute to the problem.

Introduction of OTP Verification for Tatkal Ticket Booking

The Indian Railways (IR) has introduced a new security step for booking under the Tatkal scheme. Under this system a one‑time password (OTP) will be required to confirm any Tatkal ticket booking. The OTP requirement applies to bookings made online through IRCTC, as well as bookings at station counters via computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and through authorized agents.

• Purpose: The main goal of OTP verification is to stop misuse of Tatkal booking by bots, agents, or unauthorized bulk bookings. With OTP check, ordinary passengers get better chances to secure tickets rather than losing out to scalpers. OTP verification also increases transparency in booking. Railway authorities will soon track every ticket to a verified mobile number.

• Process: The new Tatkal booking process now requires passengers to provide a valid mobile number during ticket reservation. Once journey details are entered, the system sends a one-time password (OTP) to the registered number. The booking is confirmed only after the passenger correctly enters the OTP, ensuring that every ticket is linked to a verified individual.

Implementation Strategy Across Indian Railways

• Phased Rollout: The new rules started for online bookings on 1 July 2025. From this date onwards, only users who link their identity via Aadhaar can book Tatkal scheme tickets on the official online portal of IRCTC (website/app). From 15 July 2025, a second layer was added: OTP‑based authentication became mandatory for Tatkal bookings — online, at reservation counters (PRS counters), or through authorised agents. 

• Technical Infrastructure: The technological wing of Indian Railways — Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) along with IRCTC was instructed to modify the booking backend systems. 

• The system also integrates OTP generation and verification. For bookings via counters or agents, PRS (Passenger Reservation System) terminals were updated to prompt for mobile numbers and trigger OTP verification before issuing Tatkal tickets.

• • • Along with OTP and Aadhaar verification, a time‑restriction on authorised agents was introduced. Agents are barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the ticket window opening. 

• Future Plans: Following successful trials on 52 trains that began on November 17, 2025, the system is being extended to all remaining trains in phases over the next few days. The railway authorities also communicated the changes publicly so that passengers can prepare a link to Aadhaar, and verify mobile numbers ahead of the new booking cycle. reduces confusion or last-minute booking failures when the OTP system goes live.

Five New Initiatives Shaping the Future of Travel

• Modernised Ticket Reservation System (PRS): In 2025, Indian Railways began rolling out a major upgrade of its Passenger Reservation System (PRS). The new system will support up to 1.5 lakh ticket bookings per minute, up from the earlier capacity of ~32,000 tickets per minute. At the same time the system’s enquiry capacity will jump roughly ten-fold — from 4 lakh to ~40 lakh enquiries per minute. The interface will be multilingual and user-friendly.

• Early Chart Preparation: The railways changed its charting rule in 2025. Instead of preparing reservation charts 4 hours before train departure, the new rule proposes to generate charts 8 hours ahead. This change gives passengers clearer information earlier about seat confirmations or wait-list status. This helps especially travellers from nearby origin stations to plan their journey better or cancel/change plans if the ticket remains unconfirmed.

• Ease for Special-Category Passengers: The upgraded Passenger Reservation System (PRS) will include advanced features such as real-time seat selection and a fare calendar to benefit everyone, with specific integrations for persons with disabilities, students, and patients. Individuals now can create an account for the Divyangjan Rail Card on the Indian Railways website to access special concessions and benefits.