Tatkal Booking Schedule for October 5 Travel Released
If you are planning to travel on October 5, you must prepare for the upcoming Tatkal ticket booking schedule. Indian Railways has confirmed that the reservation window for Tatkal tickets for this date will open on October 4. As per the standard operating procedure, Tatkal bookings commence exactly one day before the scheduled date of journey from the train's originating station.
Class-Wise Booking Timings
To ensure a smooth reservation process, the railway has segmented the booking windows based on the class of travel. Passengers should be ready at the following times:
- AC Classes: For 1A, 2A, 3A, 3E, CC, and EC, the booking window opens at 10:00 AM.
- Non-AC Classes: For Sleeper (SL), 2S, and First Class (FC), the booking process begins at 11:00 AM.
Mandatory Aadhaar-Based Authentication
In a significant move to prevent the use of automated bots and ensure fair access for genuine passengers, Indian Railways has implemented strict security measures. Aadhaar-based OTP authentication is now mandatory for all online transactions.
Passengers must ensure that their IRCTC accounts are successfully linked to their Aadhaar numbers to complete the booking process without any interruptions.
Rules for Agents and PRS Counters
The railway has also introduced specific restrictions to protect individual travelers from being crowded out by bulk bookings. Authorized IRCTC ticketing agents are strictly prohibited from booking Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of each window. This means agents cannot book AC tickets between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM, nor non-AC tickets between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
For those preferring to visit Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, a token system is in place to manage the crowds. As of August 1, 2026, the following token distribution timings apply:
- AC Bookings: Tokens are issued between 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM.
- Non-AC Bookings: Tokens are issued between 9:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
Important Booking Limits and ID Requirements
When applying for Tatkal tickets, travelers must keep the following limitations and requirements in mind:
- Passenger Limit: A maximum of four passengers can be booked under a single PNR under the Tatkal scheme.
- User Limit: There is a restriction of only one ticket per user per train.
- Identity Proof: A valid ID proof is required during the booking process and must be carried by the passenger during the actual journey.