Indian Railways has now made a historic and significant change to the Tatkal ticket booking process. An OTP (One-Time Password) has now been made mandatory for booking tickets. This unprecedented move will verify your actual mobile number, ensuring that tickets reach only the rightful and eligible passengers. Let’s learn more about this revolutionary new system, its origins, and how it will work.
Why was OTP required to prevent fraud
In the past, the disappearance of all tickets within minutes of Tatkal ticket booking became a widespread and common complaint. A large network of brokers and agents was behind this problem. These individuals used illegal software and unlawful methods to book large numbers of tickets simultaneously. This directly harmed hardworking and genuine passengers who were unable to obtain tickets.
To root out this serious fraud and ensure that only genuine passengers receive tickets, the Railways has taken the bold decision to implement an OTP-based verification system. This rule will directly crack down on fraudulent bookings and illegal activities.
First Train and New Beginning
This significant change has been implemented with immediate effect. This rule began on December 1st, starting with a pilot project on a select train. This rule was first implemented on the Mumbai Central Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. Now, tickets on this premium train will only be booked if the one-time password (OTP) received on the registered mobile number is entered correctly. Following this successful rollout, the Railways plans to implement it in a phased manner across all trains and all railway zones in the country. This will ensure fair ticketing for all passengers in the future.
How will the OTP booking system work
The Railways have made this new process very simple and passenger-friendly so that no passenger faces any inconvenience. When passengers begin booking Tatkal tickets, they must first enter their current and active mobile number in the booking form. Once the number is entered, the system will quickly send an OTP (One Time Password) to that number.
Passengers must enter this OTP accurately into the system. Only after the OTP is successfully verified will the ticket booking process proceed, and the ticket will be confirmed. The Railways has specifically advised passengers to always keep their mobile number updated before booking tickets, as once the OTP is sent, it will not be possible to change it.
Where will OTP be required
This new OTP verification rule is not limited to online bookings only. The Railways have decided to implement it widely. This means that whether you use the IRCTC website or mobile app, or book at computerized PRS counters, or even through authorized railway agents, OTP will be mandatory. In short, mobile verification has become an essential part of every Tatkal ticket booking method. This ensures that there is no scope for fraud, regardless of the booking method.