Latest news with #TatkalScheme
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Wait list capped at 25% in long-distance trains
MUMBAI: The Railway Board has capped the number of Wait List (WL) tickets in long-distance trains in an attempt to ease overcrowding on railway platforms across the country. According to the new rule, in force since June 16, the quota has been capped at 25% for each class of coach – Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC and 1AC. Until now, the number of WL tickets was arbitrary, varying between railway zones. Senior railway officials said that on the Central and Western railways, WL tickets used to comprise 20-40% of the total seats available in the trains. Sometimes, their number would go up to 500-700 on a single train. However, the circular issued by the Railway Board earlier this week states, 'It has been decided that the maximum current waiting list limits will be revised to 25% of the redefined capacity of each class available at originating as well as roadside stations. This logic will also be applicable for issuing of waitlisted tickets from remote locations as well as tickets booked under the Tatkal Scheme'. (Examples of 'roadside stations' would be Thane, Kalyan, Andheri or Borivali, from where passengers can board long-distance trains) Explaining how the new quota works, a railway official said that if a 3AC coach has 64-83 berths (depending upon the make of the train), then 25% of tickets would be set aside for WL passengers after this the booking for this coach was complete. Preference will be given to tatkal ticket booking, after which general ticket booking will follow. Also, passengers applying in concessional categories such as physically challenged, women etc, will not be included in the 25% quota. Railway officials say they are yet to assess the impact the new quota will have on revenue. In 2024-25, the Indian Railways earned ₹75,500 crore from passenger revenue, that is, the sale of tickets. 'All these years, there was a fixed percentage for WL tickets. That's why, during peak summer season or the Ganesh festival, the number of WL tickets in Sleeper and/or 3AC coaches was as high as the total capacity of these coaches. This used to cause chaos as WL passengers would travel with passengers with unconfirmed tickets, causing fights and arguments inside long-distance trains. The new quota will give us some control over this. Moreover, passengers would know whether seats are available in a particular train at the time of booking,' said a senior railway official. The new quota has brought some relief to the Railway Protection Force (RPF). 'The pressure on us to keep the crowds in check is immense. With fewer WL tickets being issued, this will make it more manageable,' said an RPF officer. This is one of the primary reasons for overcrowding at CSMT, Dadar and Panvel stations during the annual Ganesh festivals. It also contributed to the stampede at Surat railway station on November 11, 2023, where a massive crowd of passengers, many of whom were migrant workers heading home for Diwali and Chhath Puja, rushed to board a Bihar-bound train. Railway Passenger Associations have welcomed the move. 'This will hopefully ensure a peaceful journey. It will reduce quarrels inside trains, where WL passengers would gang up on valid ticket holders,' said Madhu Kotian, president, Mumbai Rail Pravasi Sangh.
NDTV
3 days ago
- NDTV
No Aadhaar, No Tatkal Ticket: How To Verify Your Aadhaar In IRCTC App
From July 1, 2025, Aadhaar authentication will be mandatory for booking Tatkal tickets, according to a recent Railway Ministry announcement. In a circular dated June 10, 2025, the ministry informed all zones that this decision was made "to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal Scheme are received by the common end users." "With effect from 01-07-2025, tickets under the Tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/ its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users," the ministry said. Subsequently, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication shall also be made compulsory for Tatkal bookings from July 15, 2025, onwards. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is encouraging users to link and authenticate their Aadhaar card with their IRCTC accounts, streamlining the ticket booking process. This verification aims to enhance security and convenience for travellers. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it: Authenticating Aadhaar in Your IRCTC Account: 1. Visit the official IRCTC website or App and log in using your account credentials. 2. Go to 'My Account' and select 'Authenticate User'. 3. Enter your PAN Card Number, Aadhaar number or Virtual ID. 4. Click on 'Verify Details'. 5. Enter the one-time password (OTP) received on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Check the consent checkbox and click 'Submit' to authenticate. If the authentication fails, double-check the details entered and try again. The authentication status can be verified under the "Authenticate User" link in the "My Account" section. Linking an Aadhaar Number to Your IRCTC Account: 1. Visit the official IRCTC portal. 2. Log in using your credentials. 3. Click "Link Aadhaar" under the "profile tab." 4. Enter your name as it appears on your Aadhaar card and enter your Aadhaar number. 5. Check the box and click 'Send OTP'. 6. Enter the OTP sent to your registered phone number and click 'Verify OTP'. 7. KYC details will be fetched from Aadhaar. Click 'Update' to complete the verification. A pop-up message will confirm successful Aadhaar verification and KYC details update. Important Considerations: Link and Verify: Complete Aadhaar authentication in your IRCTC profile if you haven't already. Mobile Number: Ensure your mobile number is updated with Aadhaar, as OTPs will be sent to this number. Update if necessary through UIDAI. Tatkal Bookings: For faster Tatkal bookings, have your Aadhaar linkage and IRCTC login credentials ready in advance to avoid delays.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Railway strengthens Tatkal booking with Aadhaar verification and OTP authentication
Indian Railways Ferozepur: In order to ensure that the benefits of Tatkal train tickets are accessible to the common man, Indian Railways has introduced several new measures by modifying the Tatkal Scheme. According to railway authorities, Aadhaar authentication has now been made mandatory for booking Tatkal e-tickets for individual users. For Tatkal bookings at railway counters or windows, passengers or their representatives must provide a mobile number and an OTP. Only after successful verification of the mobile number and OTP will the Tatkal ticket be generated. In a significant step, the first 30 minutes of Tatkal ticket booking will be reserved exclusively for individual online users and passengers booking at the PRS counters at stations. Travel agents and authorized agencies will only be able to book tickets after this period—at 10:30 am for AC classes and 11:30 am for Non-AC classes. For non-Aadhaar users, Tatkal ticket booking can still be done at PRS counters and through authorized travel agents. From July 1, 2025, Tatkal e-ticket bookings on the IRCTC app will be permitted only for Aadhaar-verified accounts. The provision of OTP for Aadhaar authentication will be implemented by July 15, 2025, ensuring that bots or other software tools cannot book tickets faster than genuine users. Similarly, for window ticket bookings, passengers must provide a mobile number for OTP verification. This requirement will also take effect from July 15, further safeguarding the booking process for the general public.
Mint
11-06-2025
- Mint
Attention Railway Passengers! Aadhaar authentication to book Tatkal tickets mandatory from THIS date. Check details
Attention Railway passengers! From July 1 2025, only users who have Aadhaar authentication on the IRCTC app and website will be able to book Tatkal tickets, the railway ministry has said in an official statement. The railway ministry, in a circular dated June 10, told all zonal offices that it had taken this decision 'to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal Scheme are received by the common end users.' 'With effect from 01-07-2025, tickets under Tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/ its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users,' the railway ministry said in its circular. As the rule comes into effect, users will also be required to mandatorily put an Aadhaar-based OTP for authentication. This will come into effect from July 15. 'Tatkal tickets shall be available for booking through computerized PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters of Indian Railways/authorized agents only after authentication of a system-generated OTP, which shall be sent through the system on the mobile number furnished by the users at the time of booking. This shall also be implemented by 15/07/2025,' the ministry said in its notification. The circular also specified that authorised ticketing agents of the Indian Railways will not be permitted to book opening day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the Tatkal booking window. Specifically, they will be restricted from booking Tatkal tickets for air-conditioned classes from 10.00 am to 10.30 am and for non-air-conditioned classes from 11.00 am to 11.30 am. The ministry has directed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to make the necessary modifications to the system and communicate these changes to all zonal railways. The railway ministry also said Wednesday that a trial had been launched to confirm the status of waitlist passengers 24 hours before the departure of the time, instead of the current 4 hours. Ministry officials assured that the pilot project would become part of the policy only after receiving a positive response from the passengers. 'We have started this pilot project in the Bikaner Division, where charts are being prepared 24 hours before the train departure. The current practice is doing so before 4 hours', Dilip Kumar, Executive Director, Information and Publicity, Railway Board, said. He noted that this trial was being done keeping in mind the concerns of passengers who remain uncertain about their journey due to a waiting ticket. "Now, if they know 24 hours before that their tickets are confirmed, they can plan their travel better," he added. However, once a ticket is confirmed, passengers will lose a substantial chunk of the ticket amount as penalty in case of cancellation. According to the cancellation policy, if a confirmed ticket is cancelled between 48 hours and 12 hours before departure, passengers will receive 25 per cent of the ticket amount back. If cancelled between 12 hours and 4 hours before departure, they will receive only 50 per cent.
NDTV
11-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Tatkal Ticket Booking To Require Aadhar Card Authentication From July 1
New Delhi: Only Aadhar authenticated users will be able to book tickets under the Tatkal scheme from July 1, 2025, onwards, the Railway Ministry said in an announcement. In a circular dated June 10, 2025, the ministry informed all zones that this decision was made "to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal Scheme are received by the common end users." "With effect from 01-07-2025, tickets under Tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/ its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users," the ministry said. Subsequently, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication shall also be made compulsory for Tatkal bookings from July 15, 2025, onwards. "Tatkal tickets shall be available for booking through computerized PRS (Passenger Reservation System) counters of Indian Railways/authorized agents only after authentication of a system-generated OTP, which shall be sent through the system on the mobile number furnished by the users at the time of booking. This shall also be implemented by 15/07/2025," the circular further stated. The circular also specified that authorized ticketing agents of the Indian Railways will not be permitted to book opening day Tatkal tickets during the first 30 minutes of the Tatkal booking window. Specifically, they will be restricted from booking Tatkal tickets for air-conditioned classes from 10.00 am to 10.30 am and for non-air-conditioned classes from 11.00 am to 11.30 am. The ministry has directed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to make the necessary modifications to the system and communicate these changes to all zonal railways. Furthermore, the circular assured that wide publicity will be given to these modifications through all available means to inform the general public.
