Train Ticket Rules: The Railways will soon implement OTP-based verification for over-the-counter Tatkal tickets across the country. This system has been successful in 52 trains as a pilot project. Tickets will be issued only based on the OTP received on the passenger’s mobile phone.
Train Ticket Rules: Indian Railways has taken a major step to provide passengers with more transparent and secure ticketing. Now, even counter-issued Tatkal tickets will be issued only after OTP-based verification. This new system will be implemented at all reservation counters across the country in the coming days. The Railways claims that this system will virtually eliminate the misuse of Tatkal tickets and provide a level playing field for genuine passengers.
Previously, the Railways implemented an Aadhaar-based OTP system for online Tatkal tickets in July 2025. Following this, the OTP-based online system was also introduced for first-day general bookings in October 2025. Passengers welcomed both these steps, and the Railways achieved significant success in increasing transparency in the ticketing process.
Major changes in counter booking now
The Railways launched a pilot project for OTP-based Tatkal ticket counter booking on November 17, 2025. Following initial successful results, this facility has been implemented on 52 trains. According to railway officials, this system has proven highly effective, curbing fraudulent bookings and reducing the activity of touts.
Now, the Railways has decided to implement it nationwide. Soon, at every reservation center in the country, passengers will receive an OTP on the mobile number provided in the Tatkal ticket booking form. The ticket will be issued only if the passenger enters the OTP correctly. Without OTP verification, no passenger will receive an Tatkal ticket.
How will the new process work?
According to the new system, passengers will fill out the same form as a regular Tatkal ticket. Entering their mobile number is mandatory. As soon as the counter employee enters the form information into the system, an OTP will be sent to the passenger’s mobile number. This OTP will be entered at the counter immediately. As soon as the OTP matches, the ticket is confirmed and printed. If the OTP is incorrect or not received, the ticket will not be issued.
The Railways says that this entire process is not complicated, but rather extremely simple and quick. It is similar to online ticketing, except now this facility will be implemented directly at the counter.
Increased Transparency in Tatkal Tickets
The Railways’ aim is to completely eliminate fraudulent practices in the Tatkal ticketing system. There have been frequent complaints that Tatkal tickets are blocked by touts, preventing genuine passengers from obtaining tickets. However, with the implementation of the OTP system, no one will be able to obtain tickets using a fake identity or a wrong number.
The OTP will only be sent to the passenger’s registered mobile number, ensuring that the ticket is purchased by the person traveling. This will significantly reduce ticket blocking. The Railways is calling this a historic step towards passenger convenience.
Major Benefits for Passengers
The implementation of the OTP-based Tatkal ticketing system will provide several significant benefits to passengers. The first benefit is that the number of touts will be reduced, and tickets will be distributed to genuine passengers. The second benefit is that the ticketing process will become completely transparent. Third, if there is a mistake in the ticket or a ticket is cancelled, all subsequent processes will be completed through the same mobile number, further enhancing security.
The Railways believes that this system will make the Indian Railways ticketing system even more digital and secure in the coming years.
When will it be implemented nationwide?
So far, the OTP-based Tatkal ticketing system has been implemented in 52 trains, but the Railways has clearly stated that it will be implemented in the Tatkal quota of all trains in the country in the coming days. That means now no matter in which state you are buying a ticket, you will get the Tatkal ticket only when you enter the OTP.
According to the Railways, this new system will be fully implemented by the last week of December 2025.
Passenger Feedback
At the stations where the pilot project was conducted, passengers have praised it as a great initiative. They say that touts previously dominated the ticket counters, and tickets would be sold out within minutes of opening. However, with the introduction of the OTP system, this is no longer possible. Everyone has equal opportunity, and obtaining tickets has become easier than before.
Passengers also say that due to mobile OTP, unnecessary people are not purchasing tickets, which has reduced crowding and made the process more streamlined.
Railways’ Big Goal
Railways’ goal is to bring 100% transparency to the ticketing system and completely eliminate touts. OTP-based ticketing is a major step in that direction. This system will not only strengthen the ticketing process but also enhance the security of railway data.
Railways says that in the coming time they are also working on many more digital improvements, which will further improve the passenger experience.
