Indian Railways is set to overhaul its Tatkal ticket booking process to curb touting, reduce fraudulent activities, and improve the overall passenger experience. The West Central Railway (WCR) is leading this initiative by introducing a structured token system for counter bookings starting August 1, 2026, while the IRCTC platform will mandate Aadhaar verification for all online Tatkal transactions.
Key updates for passengers include:
- Token distribution for AC classes: 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
- Token distribution for non-AC classes: 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM.
- Aadhaar mandate: Mandatory verification for all online Tatkal bookings from July 1, 2025.
- Aadhaar-based OTP: Required for all online Tatkal transactions starting July 15, 2025.
- Agent restrictions: Authorized ticketing agents are barred from booking during the first 30 minutes of the Tatkal window.
New Counter Booking Protocols
Starting August 1, 2026, the new token system is designed to organize the morning rush at reservation counters. Each counter will issue a maximum of 10 tokens for AC classes and 15 for non-AC classes, though these numbers may be adjusted based on local demand. To ensure fairness, priority is granted to individuals booking for themselves or immediate family members, provided they carry valid photo IDs. All other passengers will be processed in a secondary category and must present an Aadhaar card or other government-approved photo identification.
Digital Upgrades and IRCTC Enhancements
The railway administration is also focusing on the digital experience. By July 15, 2025, the IRCTC website will undergo a major upgrade, targeting a capacity of over 1.5 lakh bookings per minute. This update will feature a more intuitive interface, multi-language support, and enhanced seat selection options.
Saurabh Jain, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Kota Division, emphasized that these measures are intended to eliminate the need for repeat visits to counters and streamline the entire booking workflow. By integrating mandatory Aadhaar authentication, Railways aims to ensure that genuine passengers get priority access to tickets. The Tatkal booking windows remain unchanged, opening at 10:00 AM for AC and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes, one day prior to the date of the journey.