Indian Railways has made 7 big changes in ticket booking, it’ll effect your pocket 

Indian Railways- Indian Railways has made some important changes from July 2025, which will have a direct impact on the passengers. Their aim is to make ticket booking easier, ban touts and make the service transparent. Let us know which rules of Indian Railways have changed.

Aadhaar is now necessary to book Tatkal tickets

Now from 1 July 2025, only those people will be able to book Tatkal tickets on IRCTC website or app whose Aadhaar is linked to their IRCTC account. This means that first Aadhaar will have to be linked and then it will have to be verified with OTP. This OTP verification will become mandatory from 15 July.

 OTP will be required for purchasing tickets from counter and agent also

Now you will have to do OTP verification not only online but also when you buy Tatkal ticket from railway counter or registered agent. This step has been taken to prevent fake booking and brokerage.

Time limit for ticket booking for agents has been fixed

Railways have decided that authorised agents will not be able to book tickets for some time so that common people can book tickets first.

AC Class Tickets: Agents will not be able to do bookings between 10:00 am to 10:30 am.

Non-AC class tickets: Agents will not be able to do bookings between 11:00 am to 11:30 am.

Now the reservation chart will be prepared first

The reservation chart will be prepared 8 hours before the train departs. If the train departs before 2 pm, then its chart will be prepared at 9 pm the previous night. Earlier this work was done 4 hours before the train departure.

Railway Fare Increase

Railways have made travelling in long distance trains expensive.

No increase up to 500 kms

5 rupees hike from 501 to 1500 km

Rs 10 hike from 1501 to 2500 km

Rs 15 hike from 2501 to 3000 km

There has also been an increase of 2 paise per kilometer in AC class trains. Trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas have been included in this.

There is no change in reservation and other charges

It is good that reservation fees, superfast surcharge and other charges will remain the same as before. GST will also be applicable as before.

How to link Aadhaar for Tatkal ticket?

• Visit the IRCTC website or mobile app.
• Log in to My Account.
• Click on Authenticate User option.
• Enter Aadhaar number and verify with OTP.