Indian Railways has introduced a new rule making Aadhaar linking mandatory for Tatkal ticket bookings. The change aims to prevent fraudulent practices and streamline emergency travel for genuine passengers. This digital upgrade is part of a wider effort to improve transparency, restrict touts, and ease last-minute bookings. By linking tickets directly to a unique, government-verified identity, the Railways seeks to curb the misuse of fake IDs and bulk bookings that have long plagued the Tatkal system.
Aadhaar Linking For Tatkal Tickets To Ensure Transparency
Bharatiya Railways will soon start using e-Aadhaar authentication to book Tatkal tickets.
This will help genuine users get confirmed tickets during need.
— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) June 4, 2025
As highlighted by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Indian Railways now requires passengers to link their Aadhaar when booking Tatkal tickets. Passengers can book up to 6 tickets per month with an unverified Aadhaar and 12 if the Aadhaar is verified.
This new system aims to prevent touts from using fake identities to block multiple tickets. By linking each booking to a verified Aadhaar, Indian Railways creates a more accountable and transparent process. It ensures fairer access to Tatkal tickets, especially for genuine travellers during high-demand periods like festivals or holidays.
Curbing Misuse And Ensuring Fair Access
Tatkal ticketing was introduced to assist passengers needing urgent travel. However, in recent years, the system has faced widespread misuse. Many agents use software tools and fake IDs to book bulk tickets within seconds of release. As reported by The Economic Times, the railways identified a growing pattern of such misuse and decided to implement stricter measures.
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Aadhaar linking helps in tracking users, controlling bulk bookings, and flagging suspicious activity. It adds a level of accountability, as each booking is tied to a unique and government-verified identity. This not only stops touts from exploiting the system but also protects seats for those who truly need them.
Strengthened Digital Checks For Better Services
Alongside Aadhaar linking, Indian Railways is also upgrading its digital infrastructure. The ticketing system now includes backend checks that can detect repeated patterns of fraudulent bookings. These improvements are aimed at offering a safer and faster booking experience.
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According to officials, such measures are part of Indian Railways’ ongoing push to modernise services. The integration of Aadhaar ensures smoother ticketing, helps reduce paperwork, and supports a cashless and secure environment for passengers. This move promises to enhance fairness in ticket distribution and improve access for passengers who depend on Tatkal for urgent travel needs.
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