Indian Railways is introducing a new Aadhaar-linked protocol for Tatkal reservations. From the moment the high-demand Tatkal booking window opens, the first 10 minutes will be exclusively reserved for customers whose accounts are authenticated with Aadhaar.
The initiative is being rolled out nationally and is expected to significantly enhance access for genuine users, curbing the influence of bots and unauthorised agents.Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the move is part of a wider digital reform agenda aimed at reinforcing equity and efficiency in one of the world’s busiest rail networks. The new rule restricts even IRCTC-authorised agents from making bookings during the initial 10-minute window, a period traditionally plagued by automated software bookings that often crowd out individual users.
The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which manages online bookings for over 2.25 lakh Tatkal passengers daily, will now conduct special verifications for accounts not linked to Aadhaar. Suspicious or non-compliant accounts will face deactivation. This real-time account vetting is expected to restore fairness and reliability in the system, especially for last-minute travellers and economically sensitive commuters who depend heavily on Tatkal tickets.
Railway data between May 24 and June 2 revealed glaring inconsistencies in ticket distribution. Only 5,615 out of 1,08,000 AC class Tatkal tickets were secured within the first minute after the booking window opened. The figure surged to 22,827 in the following minute, raising red flags over suspected automated activity. In total, 67,159 AC Tatkal tickets—about 62.5% of online allocations—were booked within the first 10 minutes, highlighting how skewed the current system has been.The prioritisation of Aadhaar-authenticated users is also seen as a security-enhancing step, offering robust identity verification. It aligns with the government’s larger vision of making digital platforms citizen-centric, secure, and transparent.
While the initiative may initially inconvenience users without Aadhaar verification, Railways officials argue that the long-term benefits—such as smoother traffic flow on booking servers and fairer access for all—far outweigh short-term disruptions. It also reinforces India’s broader digital governance push where real-identity verification is becoming the bedrock of public service delivery.The Aadhaar-linked prioritisation policy is expected to take effect in phases, with regular performance assessments and public feedback loops. It also complements other AI-enabled initiatives recently introduced by Indian Railways to block bot-driven ticket purchases and enhance server efficiency. For citizens, this translates into a fairer shot at booking confirmed Tatkal tickets and a gradual end to the dominance of shady software and agent monopolies.
As the system shifts toward cleaner, accountable e-ticketing backed by national identity, the Indian Railways is positioning itself as a technology-forward, citizen-first utility at the core of the country’s sustainable and equitable mobility future
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Delhi Railways to Prioritise Aadhaar in Tatkal Bookings