कृपया इसे हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें
Introduction:
Booking a confirmed Tatkal ticket in Indian Railways has become notoriously difficult. Complaints about the system being misused by agents have led Indian Railways to implement significant changes. IRCTC is introducing mandatory e-Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal ticket bookings to increase transparency and reduce misuse.
What is Tatkal Booking?
The Tatkal booking system allows passengers to book tickets at short notice for immediate travel needs. While convenient, the system has been plagued by agents exploiting it, creating artificial scarcity, and charging exorbitant prices.
The New Changes:
- e-Aadhaar Authentication: To book Tatkal tickets, users will now need to authenticate their IRCTC accounts using e-Aadhaar verification, which involves an OTP sent to their registered mobile number. Alternatively, users can complete an electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) process. This is intended to prevent agents from using fake IDs to book tickets.
- Initial 10-Minute Block: In the first 10 minutes after Tatkal booking opens (10:00 AM for AC and 11:00 AM for Sleeper class), only users with verified e-Aadhaar will be able to book tickets. This measure aims to give genuine passengers a better chance of securing confirmed tickets.
- Applicable to Both Online and Offline Booking: These rules apply not only to online bookings but also to tickets purchased at railway counters, where customers will need to fill out a Know Your Customer (KYC) form.
Why the Change?
- Combating Fraud and Misuse: Indian Railways aims to curb the fraudulent activities and misuse of the Tatkal system by agents who create fake IRCTC accounts and resell tickets at inflated prices. Recently, IRCTC deactivated approximately 25 million fake accounts used by such entities.
- Increased Transparency: The new system seeks to make the booking process more transparent, ensuring that only genuine passengers can book tickets.
- Alignment with Digital India Initiative: This move aligns with the government’s broader digital strategy to link government services with Aadhaar, promoting greater transparency in public transactions.
Other Recent Changes in Indian Railways:
- No Travel for Waitlisted Passengers: Waitlisted passengers are now barred from traveling in trains. Those found traveling on a waitlisted ticket may face fines: ₹250 in Sleeper class and ₹440 in AC class, plus the fare from the boarding station to the next.
- Restricting Entry to Stations: To manage crowds, especially at busy stations, only passengers with confirmed tickets are being allowed entry at approximately 60 major railway stations across the country.
Contextual Relevance:
Indian Railways has been increasingly integrating Aadhaar into various services, including concessions for senior citizens, user verification for IRCTC accounts, and loyalty programs, as part of a broader effort to digitize its operations and reduce corruption.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information available as of June 6, 2025. Rules and regulations are subject to change. Please refer to official announcements from Indian Railways and IRCTC for the most up-to-date information.
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