No Aadhaar, No Tatkal Ticket from July 1: Railways Makes Aadhaar Authentication Mandatory for IRCTC Bookings

New Delhi, June 19

Starting July 1, 2025, passengers booking Tatkal train tickets through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) platform will be required to complete Aadhaar authentication, as per a new directive from the Ministry of Railways. The decision, outlined in a circular issued on June 10, 2025, is aimed at preventing misuse and ensuring that the benefits of the Tatkal scheme reach genuine travellers.

According to the circular, “With effect from 01-07-2025, tickets under the Tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/ its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users.” Additionally, from July 15, 2025, Aadhaar-based OTP (One-Time Password) verification will also become mandatory for all Tatkal bookings.

Aadhaar Linking and Authentication Process

IRCTC is urging users to link their Aadhaar with their IRCTC accounts well in advance to avoid last-minute booking issues. Here is a step-by-step guide for both linking and authenticating Aadhaar:

1. Aadhaar Authentication in IRCTC Account:

• Log in to the IRCTC website or Rail Connect App.
• Go to the ‘My Account’ section and select ‘Authenticate User’.
• Enter your PAN Card number, Aadhaar number or Virtual ID.
• Click on ‘Verify Details’.
• Input the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-registered mobile number.
• Check the consent box and click ‘Submit’ to complete the authentication.

If authentication fails, users are advised to re-check the entered information and retry. The status can be reviewed under the same “Authenticate User” section.

2. Linking Aadhaar to Your IRCTC Account:

• Log in to your account on the IRCTC portal.
• Go to the “Profile” tab and click “Link Aadhaar”.
• Enter your full name as per Aadhaar and your 12-digit Aadhaar number.
• Click on ‘Send OTP’ and verify the code sent to your registered mobile number.
• KYC details will be fetched from UIDAI; click ‘Update’ to complete the process.

Once successfully verified, a pop-up message will confirm Aadhaar linking and KYC update.

Key Guidelines for Travellers

• Mandatory from July 1: Aadhaar authentication is required to book Tatkal tickets.
• OTP-Based Verification: Will be enforced starting July 15, 2025.
• Updated Mobile Number: Ensure your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is current; update through UIDAI if necessary.
• Booking Preparedness: Have your Aadhaar-linked IRCTC account and login credentials ready for a smoother and faster Tatkal booking experience.

This move is expected to enhance transparency, eliminate fraudulent bookings, and streamline the Tatkal reservation system for genuine users.