The Tatkal ticket booking system has long been a go-to solution for travelers who need tickets at the last minute. However, with the increasing demand for these tickets, the system has become a target for various e-ticketing rackets, especially those operating on platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. These rackets exploit the system through automated bots, Aadhaar-verified IRCTC accounts, and other shady tactics, leaving genuine travelers stranded.

In response to the growing issue, the Ministry of Railways recently mandated that Tatkal tickets can only be booked by Aadhaar-authenticated users via the IRCTC website or app starting from July 1, 2025. However, despite these measures, e-ticketing rackets are still thriving, selling Aadhaar-linked IRCTC IDs and OTP services for Tatkal bookings to agents and buyers. Here’s a closer look at how this racket operates, the risks it poses to users, and the measures being taken to curb it.

Tatkal Ticketing Racket: The Rise of Unauthorized Platforms

Tatkal tickets are meant for last-minute travel, and they are released 24 hours before departure. However, the system is often overrun by bots or agents using automated tools to book tickets within seconds, leaving genuine travelers frustrated. These bot-driven actions are a significant problem, as they bypass the manual booking process, allowing agents to snatch up tickets before they can even appear on a regular user’s screen.

According to India Today’s OSINT team, a network of over 40 active groups on Telegram and WhatsApp has been identified, but this is just a small part of the larger online black market for e-ticketing. Thousands of agents are involved, and the business continues to thrive despite efforts by the government to regulate the system.

How the Racket Operates: The Role of Aadhaar-Verified IRCTC Accounts

The Ministry of Railways’ recent policy change requires Aadhaar-authenticated users to book tickets through the IRCTC platform. This move was intended to enhance security and curb fraudulent activity. However, the e-ticketing rackets quickly adapted to this new rule by selling Aadhaar-verified IRCTC user IDs for just ₹360 each. These accounts are sold with the ability to generate One-Time Passwords (OTPs), which are essential for booking Tatkal tickets.

What makes this racket particularly alarming is the use of automated bots and browser extensions that agents use to speed up the booking process. These bots are marketed and sold through various platforms like Telegram, where operators share tools designed to bypass the system. The process is not manual; rather, the bots autofill IRCTC login credentials, passenger details, and payment data, completing the entire transaction in a matter of seconds.

The Role of Bots: How Automation Affects Tatkal Ticket Booking

To get a better understanding of this racket, India Today monitored one of the active Telegram groups, “Fast Tatkal Software”, for several months. Inside this group, operators sell bots to agents who install them in their browsers. These bots enable users to bypass manual input and autofill all required fields, including train details, passenger information, and payment data.

One of the operators behind this scam even posted a video tutorial showing how the bots could successfully book Tatkal tickets in less than 60 seconds. The bots are advertised as “guaranteed” solutions to secure confirmed tickets, even when the system is overwhelmed with high traffic during peak booking times.

The operators have also developed strategies to circumvent the IRCTC’s anti-bot algorithms, which are designed to block suspicious activity by detecting unusual login patterns. To evade detection, the racketeers use Virtual Private Servers (VPS) to mask their IP addresses and continue their operations without being caught.

Selling Bots: A Profitable Black Market

The racket doesn’t stop at just selling Aadhaar-verified IRCTC accounts; operators also run full-fledged websites selling bots specifically designed for instant Tatkal bookings. Some of the popular bots include names like Dragon, JETX, Ocean, Black Turbo, and Formula One, priced between ₹999 and ₹5,000.

These bots do more than just expedite ticket bookings. They are also equipped with malware designed to steal sensitive user information. Malware analysis conducted by security experts on files associated with these bots revealed that they contain Trojan malware, which is specifically crafted to harvest personal information from users.

Government’s Response: Anti-Bot Measures and Crackdown

The Ministry of Railways is taking action to address the issue. According to a press release on June 4, 2025, the Ministry highlighted that bot traffic accounted for up to 50% of login attempts during the first five minutes of the Tatkal ticket booking window. In response, IRCTC deployed anti-bot systems, resulting in the suspension of over 2.5 crore fake user IDs.

Additionally, new measures have been implemented to curb the influence of agents. Bookings by agents are now banned during the first 30 minutes of the Tatkal booking window for both AC and non-AC categories. These actions aim to restore fairness to the system and ensure that genuine travelers have an equal opportunity to secure tickets.

The Impact of the Racket on Genuine Travelers

The growing presence of e-ticketing rackets is a significant issue for genuine travelers. While Tatkal tickets are meant to provide last-minute travel options, these bots and agents are exploiting the system, leading to empty seats on trains while real passengers are left without tickets. The frustration is compounded by the fact that these illegal activities undermine the purpose of the Tatkal scheme, which is designed to assist those in urgent need of travel.

The situation has raised serious concerns regarding data security and the protection of user information. As more people fall prey to these fraudulent activities, there is an increasing need for regulation and stricter cybersecurity measures.

The issue of Tatkal ticketing rackets highlights a growing problem in the digital world, where cybercriminals are exploiting loopholes in e-ticketing systems. While the Ministry of Railways has introduced several measures to curb this issue, including Aadhaar verification and anti-bot systems, the problem persists due to the sophistication of the operations involved.

As the government continues to take action, travelers must remain vigilant and avoid using unauthorized platforms that offer quick fixes for Tatkal bookings. The future of Tatkal ticket booking depends on enhanced security measures, public awareness, and continued regulation to ensure fair access for all.