Ticket to Tomorrow: Railways’ Tech Overhaul Promises Faster Bookings, Fewer Hassles

Indian Railways is in the midst of a revolutionary transformation of its ticketing system, introducing far-reaching reforms aimed at speeding up, making it more transparent, and fairer to passengers by the millions. The reforms, from July 2025, include the application of state-of-the-art technology, strict authentication, and fresh booking curbs to agents.

 

Key Highlights

 

Aadhaar Authentication Required

 

From 1st July, 2025, Tatkal tickets will be reserved by only those passengers who have been able to authenticate themselves and connect their Aadhaar to their IRCTC account.

 

OTP-Based Verification:

 

From July 15, 2025, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will be compulsory for all Tatkal online booking to increase identity verification and prevent fraud.

 

Included are Counter and Agent Bookings.

 

All Tatkal tickets booked at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and through authorized agents also stand to be OTP authenticated to the registered mobile number w.e.f. 15th July 2025.

 

Booking Rules for Agents:

 

The authorized agents will be prohibited from reserving Tatkal tickets within the first 30 minutes of opening the booking window. For AC classes, the prohibition will be from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM; for non-AC classes, from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

 

Five-Fold Boost in Booking Capacity:

 

Indian Railways will increase its PRS by December 2025, increasing booking capacity for tickets from 32,000 to 150,000 per minute. The enquiry capacity will also be increased from 400,000 to over 4 million per minute.

 

Other Features and Accessibility:

 

The new scheme will have a simple, multilingual interface, preference for seating, fare calendar, and special services for Divyangjan, students, and patients.

 

Early Chart Preparation:

 

Reservation charts will be available 8 hours before train departure, or even the previous day for trains departing up to 2 PM, less uncertainty for waitlisted passengers.

 

Engagement and Impact:

 

These reforms target the monopolization of agents, discourage fake bookings, and ensure fair access to genuine passengers. The focus is to make the system smart, fast, and transparent to ensure a smoother and more predictable journey for all.

 

Source: Economic Times, Financial Express, India Today, India TV News.