Indian Railways revamped its online ticket booking system in 2025 to curb misuse by agents and bots and to give genuine passengers a fair chance. Two key reforms (Aadhaar Priority Booking and Tatkal booking rules) both rely on Aadhaar verification, but they work very differently.
Understanding the difference can help passengers plan their journeys more effectively and avoid last-minute booking issues.
Aadhaar Priority Booking applies to the Advance Reservation Period (ARP), which opens 120 days before the journey date. Introduced in late 2025, this rule gives exclusive booking access to Aadhaar-verified IRCTC users on the opening day of reservations.
On the first day, only verified users can book tickets during a special time window, initially from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Indian Railways is rolling this out in phases. From January 5, 2026, the window expands to 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, and from January 12, 2026, it extends until midnight. This effectively makes Aadhaar verification essential for booking tickets on the opening day.
The main aim is to stop agents and automated tools from bulk-booking seats the moment reservations open, ensuring regular passengers get early access.
Tatkal booking is meant for last-minute travel, opening one day before the train’s departure. In 2025, Tatkal rules became much stricter around identity verification.
Every Tatkal booking now requires mandatory Aadhaar OTP authentication. This rule applies to online bookings, PRS counters, and authorised agents. Unlike Aadhaar Priority Booking, Aadhaar is not optional here; without it, Tatkal tickets cannot be booked.
To further protect individual users, agents are restricted during the first 30 minutes of Tatkal booking:
The biggest difference lies in timing and purpose. Aadhaar Priority Booking helps passengers who plan well in advance, while Tatkal serves those travelling at short notice. Aadhaar Priority uses profile-level verification, whereas Tatkal requires an OTP for every booking.
Non-verified users can still book general tickets after the Aadhaar Priority window closes, but they cannot book Tatkal tickets online at all.
To benefit from both systems, passengers should link Aadhaar to their IRCTC account. Log in, go to My Account → Link Your Aadhaar, enter Aadhaar details, and verify via OTP. Ensure your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is active, as all booking OTPs are sent there.
While both Aadhaar Priority Booking and Tatkal rules aim to make IRCTC bookings fairer, they serve different needs. Aadhaar Priority rewards early planners with exclusive access, while Tatkal enforces strict identity checks for last-minute travel. Linking Aadhaar to your IRCTC account is now essential for a smoother and more reliable booking experience.
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Published on: Dec 31, 2025, 11:45 AM IST
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