Railways Mandates OTP for All Tatkal Bookings to Combat Fraud

• Railways has made OTP verification mandatory for all Tatkal ticket bookings, whether online or at station counters.
• The new OTP-based system aims to curb fraud, prevent misuse, and ensure smoother ticketing for genuine passengers.
• OTP verification became compulsory from July 15, 2025, following an earlier requirement for Aadhaar linking for online Tatkal bookings from July 01, 2025.
• From October 01, 2025, Aadhaar-authenticated accounts will be required for the first 15 minutes of general reservation booking to prevent bulk-booking by agents.

Why It Matters: New OTP rule makes Tatkal booking fairer and more secure for travelers.