Major Changes in Tatkal Ticket Booking Rules from 15th April 2025
In a bid to ease travel in emergency situations, Indian Railways has brought forward major changes in its Remote ticket booking process which will come into effect from April 15, 2025. All of these upgrades are intended to improve the fan experience, relieve congestion, and add greater transparency to the ticketing operation. From revised booking time frames to more stringent identity verification and new refund policies, these changes will affect millions of travellers in India.
What Is Tatkal Booking?
It is a special reservation scheme offered by Indian Railways. It is primarily for travellers who schedule their journey at the eleventh hour. These are dynamically priced tickets based on demand and are generally booked 24 hours before the travel date. As Tatkal tickets are in high demand, the new rules aim to make the system fairer and efficient.
Tatkal Booking: Important Changes in Tatkal Ticket Booking Rules To Know
As the new rules take effect, here are the key changes:
New Booking Timings:
Day 1 (Paris to Geneva)AC classes (1a/2a/3a/CC/EC): Bookable between 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Non-AC classes (SL/2s): Between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
Tatkal Premium: Up to 12:00 PM
Counter Booking: From 8:00 AM with a valid ID
ID Proof Required:
With every booking and journey, customers are required to show an ID proof.
Refund Policy Update:
Confirmed tickets are still non-refundable.Waitlisted tickets will now be refunded in full.
Passengers holding waitlisted tickets will be refunded for partially confirmed bookings.
Safety Protocols For Online Booking:
Now, CAPTCHA and OTP verification are mandatory before any payment.One user ID can book a maximum of two Tatkal tickets each day.Logging in multiple times during Tatkal hours is not allowed.
Mobile number and email ID must be verified.
Tatkal & Booking Timings:
No Tatkal tickets can be booked by agents between 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, ensuring regular users get fair accessibility.
While booking, passengers are advised to do the following to avoid any trouble:
Log in to your account at least 5 minutes before bookings begin.
Have your payment method ready beforehand.
Only book from the official IRCTC website or mobile app
Book with the direct author doesn’t book through a third party, and offers fast and secure booking.
Who Will Be Most Impacted by These Changes in Tatkal Ticket Booking Rules
The effects of these changes will vary for the different types of passengers:
Passenger Type
Impact Level
Reason
Daily Business Travelers
High
Depend heavily on last-minute bookings
Tourists & Families
Medium
Possible fare hike in AC classes
Agents & Middlemen
Very High
Booking time restrictions significantly limit access
These changes might sound tough in the beginning; however, these will ultimately make the booking process easier, safer, and more transparent for real passengers. While following the new guidelines, if travellers know in advance and plan their journeys accordingly, they can still continue to count on Indian Railways for their urgent travel needs without any hassles.
MD Habib (Author)
MD Habib is an article writer with experience of around 5 years in field of education. He also have an experience of working with some of the most renowned educational institutes. His strong grip in the field of Governments Yojanas and Schemes make him a perfect person to provide information related to Sarkari Yojanas in India through his articles.
