Tatkal Ticket Booking: If you travel by train, this information could be very useful for you. Indian Railways has announced that those planning to travel by train on October 17, 2026, and who have not yet booked their tickets can opt for ‘Tatkal’ (urgent/immediate) booking. Tatkal ticket bookings open one day before the date of travel.

There are specific, separate booking times for AC and non-AC categories. Passengers should be well-informed about the correct booking timings, the requirement for Aadhaar verification, and other relevant rules. Since the number of Tatkal tickets is limited, it is essential to log in on time; having passenger details ready in advance can also be very helpful.

When should you book Tatkal tickets for October 17?
According to Indian Railways, Tatkal ticket bookings for travel on October 17, 2026, will open on October 16, 2026. Bookings for AC class tickets begin at 10:00 AM, while bookings for Sleeper and non-AC class tickets start at 11:00 AM. Tatkal tickets are booked one day in advance.

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Aadhaar is mandatory for Tatkal tickets.
As per railway regulations, users must complete Aadhaar verification to book Tatkal tickets through the official IRCTC website. Aadhaar-based OTP verification is also applicable for online Tatkal bookings. Therefore, ensure that your IRCTC account is set up and Aadhaar verification is completed before attempting to book a ticket. Failure to complete this verification may cause issues during the booking process.

“>October 15, 2026

Essential tips for booking Tatkal tickets
To book a Tatkal ticket, you must first log in to the official IRCTC website or mobile app.
Keep the passenger’s name, age, and other necessary details ready beforehand. You can also prepare a ‘passenger list’ (master list) in advance to accelerate the process. For payment, users should have options like UPI or other quick and convenient payment methods ready on IRCTC. Additionally, passengers must select the correct train, date of travel, class, and the ‘Tatkal’ quota.
During the journey, passengers should keep their identification documents ready, along with their tickets.