New Delhi: In a significant move to improve passenger convenience and ensure fair access to high-demand Tatkal tickets, Indian Railways is set to implement an OTP-based ticketing system at physical reservation counters across all remaining trains in the coming days. The initiative aims to curb misuse and fraudulent bookings while making the reservation process smoother and more reliable for genuine travellers.
Background: Digitisation Initiatives for Tatkal Bookings
This move builds on Railways’ earlier efforts to enhance digital authentication for ticket bookings –
- July 2025: Aadhaar-based authentication introduced for online Tatkal bookings.
- October 2025: OTP-based system rolled out for all general online reservations on the first day of booking.
Both steps saw wide adoption and contributed to improved transparency and passenger trust in the reservation process.
Pilot Program and Nationwide Rollout
The OTP-based Tatkal system was first piloted at reservation counters on 17 November 2025, covering 52 trains. Under the system, passengers booking Tatkal tickets at counters receive a one-time password (OTP) on the mobile number provided in their reservation form. Ticket confirmation is completed only after successful OTP verification, ensuring that only genuine passengers secure Tatkal tickets.
Railway officials confirmed that the nationwide rollout of the system for all remaining trains will begin within the next few days, marking a critical step toward enhanced security and transparency.
Passenger Benefits and Service Improvements
The OTP-based system is expected to –
- Prevent misuse of Tatkal quotas
- Reduce fraudulent bookings
- Ensure fair access for genuine travellers
- Enhance convenience, security, and trust in the ticketing process
This initiative represents another milestone in Indian Railways’ push toward digitisation, reflecting its ongoing commitment to improving passenger services and operational efficiency.
