Railway plans to implement OTP-based window tickets in tatkal!

Indian Railways is all set to soon implement OTP-based Tatkal reservation system at reservation counters across the country. The move aims to make the Tatkal ticket booking process more transparent, increase convenience for passengers and reduce misuse. Railways had already started Aadhaar-based verification for online Tatkal tickets in July 2025. Later, in October 2025, it introduced OTP-based online booking for general reservations. After both these approaches received good response from passengers, Railways has now decided to extend the same approach to Tatkal counters.

On November 17, 2025, Railways launched the OTP-based Tatkal booking pilot project, which is currently applicable to 52 trains. Under this approach, a passenger who books a Tatkal ticket at the counter will receive an OTP on the mobile number given in the form. The ticket will be confirmed only after the OTP is verified. The Railways has announced that this system will soon be implemented for all other trains. This will increase the chances of genuine passengers getting Tatkal tickets easily. Overall, this is considered as an important step taken by the Railways towards enhancing transparency, security and passenger convenience.