Indian Railways to Mandate OTP Verification for Tatkal Tickets at Counters

Tatkal tickets booked at railway reservation counters will soon require an OTP sent to the passenger mobile number before the booking is completed.  

The Railway Ministry introduced this process as a pilot on November 17, 2025. It began with a small set of routes and has since been extended to 52 trains. The ministry said the system will cover all other trains in the coming days. 

What Passengers Need to Do 

During a counter booking, passengers must provide a mobile number on the reservation slip. An OTP is sent to that number, and the ticket is issued only after the code is verified. Officials said the step creates a direct link between the booking and the mobile number written on the form. 

Why the Rule Is Being Added 

Tatkal tickets often see high demand, and misuse by agents has been a recurring issue. The OTP check is intended to restrict bulk or unauthorised bookings at counters.  

According to news reports, the requirement introduces a simple screening layer meant to keep more seats available for regular travellers during busy booking periods. 

Ongoing Checks in the Ticketing System 

The new rule follows earlier measures brought in over the past few months. In July, Aadhaar-based OTP verification was made mandatory for online Tatkal tickets across the country.  

From October 1, only Aadhaar-authenticated users could book reserved general tickets on the IRCTC website or app during the first 15 minutes after bookings opened. These steps were introduced to tighten access during peak booking windows. 

Online Booking Rules Effective 2025 

An additional update on October 28, 2025, requires Aadhaar authentication for online ticket bookings made between 8 am and 10 am on the first day of reservation.  

Users without verification can continue booking outside this time slot. The Railways said these timings are meant to regulate early-morning traffic on the platform. 

Read More:  Sanchar Saathi Pre-Installation Rule Removed: What It Means for You! 

Conclusion 

With OTP checks added to counter bookings, Tatkal reservations will follow a more uniform verification system across both offline and online modes. The move is positioned as an administrative step to improve oversight in high-demand ticket categories. 

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