KKN Gurugram Desk | In a significant move to enhance transparency and curb fraudulent activities, Indian Railways has announced the implementation of mandatory e-Aadhaar authentication for booking Tatkal train tickets. This initiative aims to streamline the ticketing process, ensure genuine passengers have better access to Tatkal quota tickets, and reduce misuse by unauthorized agents and bots.

Key Highlights:

• Mandatory e-Aadhaar Verification: Passengers booking Tatkal tickets will now be required to verify their identity using e-Aadhaar authentication. This applies to both online and counter bookings.

• Priority Booking Window: Aadhaar-verified users will receive a 10-minute priority window during Tatkal ticket sales, ensuring they have the first opportunity to secure tickets. Authorized agents will not be permitted to book tickets during this initial period.

• Combating Fraudulent Activities: The move is part of a broader effort to eliminate fraudulent practices in reserved ticket bookings, particularly under the Tatkal quota, which is known for high demand and frequent misuse.

• Enhanced Security Measures: Indian Railways has also introduced anti-bot systems and partnered with top Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to boost website performance and prevent automated ticket hoarding.

• Account Verification: IRCTC has decided to conduct special verification for all accounts that are not authenticated with Aadhaar. Accounts found to be suspicious will be closed to ensure that genuine passengers receive all types of Tatkal tickets.

Implementation Timeline:

The new e-Aadhaar authentication system is expected to be rolled out by the end of June 2025. Passengers are encouraged to link their IRCTC accounts with Aadhaar to benefit from the priority booking window and ensure a smoother booking experience.

This initiative reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to leveraging technology to enhance service quality, reduce unauthorized access, and provide a fair and efficient ticketing process for all passengers.