The Indian Railways has introduced a major change in the Tatkal ticket booking system starting December 1, aiming to make the process more secure and passenger-friendly. Under the new mechanism, passengers will now be required to enter a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their registered mobile number before the booking is completed. Only after entering the OTP will the ticket be successfully issued.
This new system has been rolled out initially by the Western Railway on select trains. The first train to implement the OTP-based booking is the Mumbai Central–Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. Railways has confirmed that the feature will gradually be adopted by all zones after analyzing the pilot phase.
Why OTP-based tatkal booking was introduced
Tatkal tickets are reserved for passengers who need urgent travel, but misuse of the system has been a long-standing concern. Instances of fake mobile numbers, bulk ticketing and unauthorised agents blocking reservations often make it difficult for genuine travellers to secure seats.
To address these issues, the Railway Board approved the OTP-based system. By linking ticket booking directly to an active, verified phone number, Railways aims to eliminate fake identities and ensure tickets are booked only by real passengers.
How the new tatkal system works
When a passenger initiates a Tatkal booking on the IRCTC platform, an OTP will be sent to the mobile number registered in the passenger’s IRCTC account. Only after entering the OTP correctly will the booking proceed. This ensures that the mobile number used is legitimate, active and belongs to the person actually booking the ticket.
Important points for passengers:
- Keep your mobile number updated on IRCTC before booking.
- Ensure the registered number is active and accessible during booking.
- Avoid entering someone else’s number.
- After the OTP is sent, the mobile number cannot be changed for that booking.
Indian Railways believes this upgraded system will strengthen transparency and benefit genuine last-minute travellers.
