Tatkal Ticket Booking: If you are planning to travel home for Diwali—specifically on November 6th—this information could be very useful for you. If you have not yet secured a confirmed ticket, you have the option to book a ‘Tatkal’ (urgent/last-minute) reservation. Indian Railways provides this facility for passengers who need to travel on short notice. Through this service, you can book a ticket one day before your intended date of travel.
For instance, if you are planning to travel on November 6th, you can book a Tatkal ticket on November 5th. This facility is available for both AC and non-AC classes, though the booking timings differ. Let’s take a look at the booking timings and the rules for Tatkal tickets.
What are the booking timings for AC and sleeper class Tatkal tickets?
According to Indian Railways, Tatkal tickets must be booked one day in advance. For AC classes—including AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, and other AC categories—booking opens at 10:00 AM. For non-AC classes, booking for Tatkal tickets begins at 11:00 AM.
Where can you book Tatkal tickets?
Tatkal tickets can be booked online from the comfort of your home or in person at a railway reservation counter. To book online, simply follow these steps:
First, visit the official IRCTC website.
Alternatively, you can use the ‘IRCTC Rail Connect’ mobile app to book your ticket.
Log in using your user ID and password.
Enter your travel details.
Select the ‘Tatkal’ quota.
Enter the names of the passengers and other required details.
Once you have verified all the ticket information, you can complete the payment online. After making the payment, you must verify whether your ticket is confirmed or on the waiting list.
Aadhaar verification is mandatory.
If you are booking a ‘Tatkal’ (urgent quota) ticket online, you must ensure that your IRCTC account is Aadhaar-verified. During the booking process, an OTP may be sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar. Therefore, it is essential to complete the account and Aadhaar verification before attempting to book a ticket.
Rules for agents
According to the Railways, if you use an agent to book a ‘Tatkal’ ticket, there are specific restrictions on the timing of such bookings. Agents are not permitted to book AC-class tickets until 10:30 AM, and they cannot book non-AC-class tickets until 11:30 AM.