Indian Railways has launched a major offensive against ticket touting to ensure that genuine passengers get fair access to Tatkal bookings. As part of a massive cleanup operation, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has deactivated 3.04 crore suspicious user IDs as of June 30, 2026, while placing another 6.22 crore IDs under mandatory re-verification. This sustained campaign, conducted between 2021 and June 2026, has already resulted in the arrest of 22,676 touts across the country.
Key highlights of the new anti-touting measures include:
- Deactivation of 3.04 crore suspicious user IDs to curb illegal ticketing activities.
- Implementation of a new token-based Tatkal system effective from August 1, 2026.
- Introduction of on-the-spot fines by the RPF for ticketing violations.
- Mandatory valid ID proof requirement at booking counters.
- Focus on Aadhaar-based OTP authentication for online IRCTC bookings as per High Court directives.
New Tatkal Booking Process Starting August 1
To streamline the booking experience and reduce long queues at counters, Indian Railways is introducing a structured token system. Starting August 1, 2026, tokens will be issued for AC class bookings between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM, followed by Non-AC class bookings from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM. Initially, the system will issue 10 tokens for AC and 15 tokens for Non-AC per counter, though authorities have kept the flexibility to increase these limits based on passenger demand at specific stations.
Legal Backing and Future Security
These stringent measures follow recent directives from the Kerala High Court, which stressed the importance of securing the IRCTC platform against manipulation. The court has pushed for Aadhaar-based OTP authentication to verify user identities and prevent the misuse of automated software by touts. Additionally, the court suggested that IRCTC explore PAN-based verification as an alternative security layer for the future. By combining these digital security protocols with increased RPF presence and on-the-spot fines, Indian Railways aims to eliminate the influence of touts and provide a transparent, reliable ticketing experience for all travellers.