Tatkal Booking New Rule: OTP Now Mandatory For Tatkal Tickets; Check From When It Starts
Western Railway introduces a new verification step to curb irregularities and make Tatkal bookings more secure for passengers.
The Western Railway has announced a major change in the Tatkal ticket booking process. From December 1, 2025, passengers booking Tatkal tickets will need to enter a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their registered mobile number. Without this OTP, the ticket will not be issued.
Officials said the new verification system aims to reduce misuse of the Tatkal quota, especially by agents and brokers who book large numbers of instant tickets. With the mobile-linked OTP becoming compulsory, the railway expects the process to become more transparent, secure and convenient for genuine passengers.
The new rule will first be implemented on the Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express (12009/12010). Western Railway plans to extend this system to other trains in the coming months after reviewing the initial phase.
According to railway officials, many passengers face difficulties when tickets are booked instantly by third parties who use high-speed software or bulk booking methods. The OTP rule ensures that the booking can only be completed when the rightful passenger approves it through their own mobile number.
The railways have appealed to passengers to keep their mobile phones active during booking and ensure their contact details are updated. They have also warned that bookings may fail if the OTP is delayed or not entered correctly.
This new system is expected to reduce fraudulent bookings and improve the overall experience for travellers using the high-demand Tatkal service.
