IRCTC Makes OTP Mandatory for Tatkal Booking at Counters

Tatkal Booking at Counters:

Indian Railways has introduced an important change to make Tatkal ticket booking at reservation counters safer and fairer. From a pilot started on November 17, passengers who book Tatkal tickets at counters must now provide a one-time password (OTP) sent to their mobile phones. Only after verifying this OTP will the ticket be confirmed.

Tatkal Booking at Counters:

The pilot began with a small set of trains and then expanded to cover 52 trains. Railway officials have said the system will soon be implemented across all trains in the country. The goal is to stop misuse and ensure real passengers get Tatkal tickets, especially for last-minute travel.

Under the new rule, travelers who want a Tatkal ticket at a reservation counter must give a mobile number on the booking form. An OTP will be sent to that number. The counter staff will confirm the OTP before issuing the ticket. If the OTP is not verified, the booking will not be completed.

Railway officials explained that this step will target touts and agents who try to book many Tatkal tickets for profit. By linking booking to a passenger’s mobile number, the system makes it harder for others to use fake or multiple identities. This should increase transparency and fairness in the Tatkal scheme.

This move follows earlier measures by the Railways to reduce wrongdoing. In July, the department made Aadhaar-based verification mandatory for online Tatkal bookings. From October 1, the first 15 minutes after Tatkal opening on the IRCTC website or app were reserved for users with Aadhaar verification. Together, these steps aim to give genuine travelers a better chance to get urgent tickets.

Officials say the OTP process will improve passenger convenience and system security. It may take a short time for counters to fully adopt the change, but the Railways expect benefits such as fewer fake bookings and better access to Tatkal tickets for ordinary travelers. Passengers welcomed the move in many cities.

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