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IRCTC Makes Aadhaar Verification Mandatory for Advance and Tatkal Bookings – What’s Changed for Passengers | Today’s news

February 20, 2026

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has made Aadhaar verification mandatory for users booking train tickets online. Under the revised rules, passengers will be required to complete Aadhar authentication to confirm their identity before proceeding with bookings at the platform.

IRCTC on Thursday said Aadhaar-based reservations are aimed at benefiting genuine passengers and make it easier for them to book Tatkal and Advance Reservation Period (ARP) tickets, Indian Express reported.

“To prevent misuse of the online booking system and to curb potential fraudulent bookings while booking Tatkal tickets, the following measures have been put in place,” IRCTC said in a statement.

Who can book tickets online now?

IRCTC has clarified that only Aadhaar verified users will be able to book tickets on the date of commencement of Advance Booking Period. This means that passengers who have not verified their accounts with Aadhar will not be able to secure tickets on the first day the bookings are available.

The company further said that Aadhaar verification will also be made mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets, tightening access to the high-demand quota and seeking to curb misuse of the system.

It further said that the introduction of Aadhaar-based authentication has effectively prevented the creation and operation of unauthorized user accounts, which serves as a safeguard against misuse. “…thereby ensuring fair allocation of Tatkal and tickets on the day of commencement of advance booking period (ARP), significantly improving availability of tickets for genuine passengers by increasing transparency and curbing unfair booking practices,” the company said.

Aadhaar-based One Time Password (OTP) authentication for online booking of Tatkal tickets was introduced in a phased manner, initially operational in 322 trains as of December 4, 2025. Following this move, the availability time of confirmed tatkal tickets has increased in around 65% of these trains, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Railway Minister, informed the 2201 Lok and Sabha in writing in December

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