New IRCTC rules to book train tickets from July 2025: Know these seven changes, how they affect you
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Mandatory OTP verification at counters and through agents
Booking time restriction for authorised agents
Train services affected by new fare hike from July 1, 2025
Reservation chart to be prepared 8 hours before departure
What's the latest increase in AC, non-AC train ticket fares?
Are there any changes in reservation and ancillary charges?
How to authenticate Aadhaar to book tatkal train tickets
The Indian Railways has undertaken several reforms to improve the ease of accessing services for passengers and enhancing transparency. These changes include increased time frame in which the reservation chart is prepared, revised ticket prices based on the level of service and distance, and mandatory Aadhaar authentication for Tatkal ticket purchases to prevent exploitation. OTP-based verification has also been introduced. These reforms are effective from July 2025.Tatkal tickets purchased via IRCTC 's official website and mobile app will only be accessible to individuals who have successfully authenticated Aadhaar from July 1, 2025. This means that passengers must link their Aadhaar number with their IRCTC user profile and verify it successfully to be able to book Tatkal tickets online.Further, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will become mandatory for Tatkal bookings made online from 15th July 2025 onwards.Starting July 15, 2025, all Tatkal tickets booked at computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and through authorised railway agents will require an extra layer of verification through OTP (One-Time Password) authentication.From July 1, 2025, authorised agents will be restricted from booking tickets during specific time slots to prioritise bookings for individual passengers.For AC classes: Agents cannot book tickets between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM.For non-AC classes: Agents cannot book tickets between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM.The fare revision also applies to premier and special train services, such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Mahamana, Gatimaan, Antyodaya, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express, AC Vistadome coaches, Anubhuti coaches, and ordinary non-suburban services (after 500 km), based on the new fare structure for different classes.The railway board has proposed preparing the reservation chart eight hours before the departure. For trains departing before 1400 hours, the chart will be prepared the previous day at 2100 hrs itself. Earlier, the reservation chart was prepared four hours before the departure of the train, which gave very less time for passengers.For ordinary non-AC classes (non-suburban trains):Second Class: Increased by half paisa per km subject to condition that· No increase up to 500 km· Increase by Rs 5 for distance 501 to 1,500 km· Increase by Rs 10 for distance 1501 to 2,500 km· Increase by Rs 15 for distance 2501 to 3,000 kmSleeper Class: Increased by 0.5 paisa per kmFirst Class: Increased by 0.5 paisa per km· For Mail/Express Trains (Non-AC):· Second Class: Increased by 01 paisa per km· Sleeper Class: Increased by 01 paisa per km· First Class: Increased by 01 paisa per kmFor AC Classes (Mail/Express trains):AC Chair Car, AC 3-Tier/3-Economy, AC 2-Tier, and AC First/Executive Class/Executive Anubhuti: Increased by 02 paisa per km.There has been no change in ancillary charges as part of the recent railway fare revisions. Reservation fees, superfast surcharges, and other additional charges will continue to remain the same. Additionally, GST will be levied as per the prevailing rules, and the fare rounding principles will follow the existing norms, ensuring consistency in the overall ticket pricing structure.Starting July 1, 2025, only Aadhaar authenticated users will be allowed to book Tatkal Train Tickets on the IRCTC Website and Mobile Apps.Authenticate your IRCTC User ID now by following these steps:Step 1: Log in to the IRCTC website or IRCTC Rail Connect Mobile App.Step 2: Go to "My Account".Step 3: Click on 'Authenticate User' and complete the process.
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