Indian Railways Announces New Rules; Here's All You Need To Know

The Ministry of Railways has introduced new booking rules and guidelines to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of train journeys starting July 1, 2025. The new rules aim to make the system more transparent and accessible to genuine passengers.What Are The New Rules By The Ministry Of Railways?Aadhaar Now Mandatory For Online Tatkal BookingsFrom July 1, if you're booking Tatkal tickets via the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or app, you'll need to ensure your Aadhaar (UIDAI) number is linked and verified with your IRCTC account. Without this verification, you won’t be able to access Tatkal bookings online.That’s not all. From July 15, Aadhaar-based one-time passcode (OTP) authentication will become mandatory during the booking process, adding an extra layer of security.The Ministry of Railways has thus urged all passengers to link their Aadhaar details with their IRCTC user profiles to avoid inconvenience when the new rules take effect.OTP Verification Mandatory At Ticket Counters And Through AgentsWhether you're booking your Tatkal ticket at a railway reservation counter or through an authorised IRCTC agent, the process is also getting more secure. From July 15, 2025, all such bookings will require OTP-based authentication, just like online bookings. This step is meant to stop fake bookings and make sure that only genuine passengers get access to Tatkal tickets.Agents Can No Longer Book Tatkal Tickets In The First 30 MinutesTo give everyday travellers a better chance of securing Tatkal tickets, the Ministry of Railways has introduced booking time restrictions for authorised agents. Starting July 1, agents will not be allowed to book tickets during the initial 30 minutes of the Tatkal booking window. The move is expected to curb dummy bookings and streamline the ticketing process.Agents can book AC class tickets only after 10:30 AM (Tatkal opens at 10:00 AM), while for non-AC class tickets, agents can book only after 11:30 AM (Tatkal opens at 11:00 AM).(With inputs from multiple news reports)IRCTC Changes Meal Booking Rules For Vande Bharat Express—Here's What’s New