OTP will be mandatory for window Tatkal tickets, but how will those who do not have mobile phones make the booking?

Indian Railways is going to make OTP mandatory for window Tatkal tickets. This means that when booking at the window, you will fill in your mobile number in the form. The booking clerk will enter your mobile number during the application, after which an OTP will be generated. You will share this with the booking clerk, and after verification, your Tatkal ticket will be generated. The big question here is, how will those who do not have a mobile phone obtain Tatkal tickets at the window? In this regard, the Railways have provided three important methods to know.

The Railways will soon make OTP mandatory for window Tatkal tickets on all trains. This aims to crack down on those who misuse the Tatkal facility. Similar rules have already been implemented for online ticketing. This means that you cannot book a Tatkal ticket without an OTP.

This aims to prevent misuse of the Tatkal ticketing facility and prevent touts, while also ensuring easy access to tickets for ordinary passengers. In July of this year, the Railways made Aadhaar-based linking mandatory for online Tatkal booking. This means that tickets cannot be booked online or offline without an OTP.

What are the three methods?
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Broadcasting at the Ministry of Railways, stated that OTP is being made mandatory to provide relief to passengers and prevent unauthorized individuals from purchasing tickets. He added that nowadays, most people, whether in cities or villages, are using mobile phones.

If someone does not have a mobile phone and is going to book a window ticket, they should bring a family member's mobile phone.

If this is not available, enter the number of someone you know on the ticket and ask them for the OTP.

If this facility is not available, you can enter the number of someone in line who does not want to book an Tatkal ticket. This way, window tickets can be booked.

What are the initial orders for online booking?

IRCTC has issued an order stating that, from July 1, 2025, Tatkal tickets will be available on the IRCTC website or mobile app only to passengers whose Aadhaar has already been linked and verified with their IRCTC account. This can be done easily. Users have the option to add Aadhaar in the profile section.

Is an OTP required for online booking?

From July 15, 2025, an additional Aadhaar-based OTP verification will be required for Tatkal ticket booking. This means that an OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, and booking will not proceed without entering it. Indian Railways has issued these instructions to prevent touts.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from News 18 hindi. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.