New rules for tatkal bookings at counter from July 1 onwards: Here’s what you need

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Indian Railways will implement new Tatkal booking rules starting from July 1. Aadhaar authentication or an approved digital ID in the passenger’s Digi Locker becomes mandatory to book Tatkal and Premium Tatkal train tickets. These documents are mandatory for booking tickets via the IRCTC website and mobile apps as well as from the counter. The railway aims to implement these updates to ensure confirmed tickets for real passengers. Meanwhile, the passengers hope that these new rules will solve the crisis of tickets getting sold out within 2 – 3 minutes after the booking window opens.
These are the new changes
Passengers should link their IRCTC and mobile app accounts to Aadhaar. Options for Aadhaar linking is available in the profile. The steps for this process have been simplified to enable passengers to complete them independently. The new rules and guidelines will take effect from tomorrow onwards. Meanwhile, OTP verification is required for booking tickets from July 15 onwards to ensure the identity of the passenger.
Counter tickets
An OTP will be sent to the mobile number of the person booking the ticket; the rest of the procedures remain the same.
Can agents book tickets?
Time restrictions have been imposed for booking by approved agents. Agents could start booking tickets only 30 minutes after the booking window opens. AC tatkal booking begins at 10 am, while agents can start booking these tickets only by 10.30 am. Meanwhile, the bookings for sleeper tickets start at 11 am, and the agents can book by 11.30 am.
Is OTP verification required for agent booking?
OTP sent to the mobile number of the person booking the tickets should be verified to issue tickets.
Premium tatkal
The new rules are applicable for booking premium tatkal tickets too.