IRCTC Reinvents Tatkal Bookings ! Check How It Will Impact Your Booking Experience

Getting a Tatkal ticket on IRCTC has always been a matter of racing against time. The high demand and low supply make the users feel the heat of the booking window quite frequently. In order to make this process less pressurizing and more open, Indian Railways is currently providing long-awaited changes to the Tatkal system.

▶️Only Aadhaar authenticated user can book #Tatkal tickets on IRCTC Website and App from July 1

▶️No Agent Bookings in First 30 Minutes for AC & Non-AC Classes

▶️OTP based identity authentication Must for online as well as Tatkal Bookings at PRS Counters & through authorised…

— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 11, 2025

According to an official communication provided by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), all Tatkal reservations will now have to be done only via authorized channels of IRCTC, i.e., its website and mobile application. This initiative is a direct response to the abuse of the system by bots and agents who tried to exploit the loopholes with the help of auto-filling and auto-booking programs.

Fighting Touts and Lag: A Tech-Driven Approach

Initially, the Tatkal system was intended to assist travellers in purchasing emergency tickets one day before, but it slowly fell prey to unfair practices. Touts would have specialized equipment to snatch the tickets in a few seconds and leave ordinary passengers stranded without tickets.

To tackle this, IRCTC has implemented more secure cybersecurity measures like CAPTCHA verification, OTP login, and faster payment integration to enhance real-time access by genuine users. These enhancements help provide a level playing field to general users when it comes to booking.

Meanwhile, the IRCTC has also improved the server strength to handle increased traffic, especially during the Tatkal windows, at 10 AM in AC coaches and 11 AM in sleeper class. This is an important step in the case of festive seasons and holiday rush.

Fair Access for All: A More Democratic Booking System

These reforms form a bigger initiative of digitally securing and making user-friendly Indian Railways. IRCTC is assisting users to take back the booking process by discouraging third-party intrusion and enhancing direct accessibility.

To regular travellers, these developments portend an improvement, a more level playing field when it comes to making last-minute travel arrangements without having to use agents and pay exorbitant rates. It is not only a technical upgrade but also a move to trust and transparency.