Beginning July 1, individuals reserving Tatkal train tickets on the IRCTC platform must ensure their Aadhaar is linked to their IRCTC account. According to the latest regulations issued by Indian Railways, Aadhaar authentication is now compulsory for booking Tatkal tickets, and only passengers who have undergone this verification will be permitted to complete such bookings.
Steps to link Aadhaar with IRCTC account
- Visit www.irctc.co.in or use the IRCTC Rail Connect app.
- Log in using your credentials.
- Navigate to ‘My Account’ and select ‘Link Your Aadhaar’ or ‘Aadhaar KYC’.
- Input your 12-digit Aadhaar number or Virtual ID.
- Click on ‘Send OTP’.
- Enter the OTP sent to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar.
- Agree to the consent form and submit.
Once completed, the Aadhaar status will display as ‘Verified’ in your IRCTC profile.
How to add Aadhaar-verified passengers to the master list
Only those passengers who have been Aadhaar-verified can be selected while booking Tatkal tickets. To include verified passengers:
- After logging in, navigate to ‘My Profile’ → ‘Master List’.
- Enter the passenger’s name, gender, date of birth, and Aadhaar number.
- Select Aadhaar as the form of ID proof.
- Submit the information.
The verification status will update from ‘pending’ to ‘verified’ once the process is complete.
OTP verification required starting July 15
As of July 15, Aadhaar OTP verification will also be necessary at the time of booking Tatkal tickets. This requirement applies to all modes of booking—online, at counters, and through agents. Passengers must ensure that the mobile number linked to their Aadhaar is active to complete this step.
Additional benefit
Accounts linked with Aadhaar on IRCTC can book up to 24 train tickets per month, while those without Aadhaar verification are limited to 12 tickets.
First Published: Jun 18, 2025 4:55 PM IST
