How to link Aadhaar to your IRCTC account for Tatkal railway ticket reservation

Representative image

While Aadhaar linking to your IRCTC account is not compulsory, there are some advantages to it—especially for Tatkal ticket and frequent traveller users. IRCTC now allows 12 tickets per month to be booked by the passengers. But if all the passengers in a booking are Aadhaar-verified, it is increased to 24 tickets per month. It can be really helpful for large families as well as regular commuters.

Step-by-step procedure to link Aadhaar with IRCTC

Login to your IRCTC account at www.irctc.co.in to start Aadhaar linking. Log in and navigate to the 'My Account' or 'My Profile' option. Select 'Aadhaar KYC' from the provided options. Fill in your 12-digit Aadhaar number and click on the consent box that enables IRCTC to authenticate your identity from UIDAI. Once submitted, a one-time password (OTP) will be sent on your Aadhaar registered mobile number. Enter OTP to finish the verification. The verification message will be shown on success in linking.

How this assists in Tatkal reservations

Tatkal booking windows are time-sensitive, often closing within seconds due to high demand. If you’ve linked your Aadhaar and created a Master Passenger List of verified passengers, adding them during booking becomes instantaneous. This reduces the time needed to input passenger details, increasing your chances of successfully booking a Tatkal ticket.

Not just for Tatkal: other benefits too

Besides Tatkal, Aadhaar linking also reduces scope for ticket forgery and misuse. Wherever IRCTC detects unusual activity—such as frequent advance booking in bulk or simultaneous accounts—Aadhaar verification provides an additional layer of checks. It can even automate refund and ease coordination in case of cancellation and exigency.

Part of India's IT-based transformation of railway services

Aadhaar linking is also Indian Railways' overall push towards e-transparency and trouble-free travel. With railway services being upgraded, Aadhaar-verified accounts can look forward to improved amenities like express checkouts, less verification issues, and faster ticket processing.

FAQs

Q. Is Aadhaar linking mandatory for Tatkal ticket booking on IRCTC?

No, it is not necessary. But if you link Aadhaar, then you can reserve 24 tickets in a month rather than 12, if all the passengers are authenticated.

Q. Can Aadhaar linking be done via the IRCTC app?

It is preferable to do it on the IRCTC website since apps might be limited or differ.

Q. If I don't get the OTP?

Make sure your Aadhaar is associated with an original phone number. If needed, swap out your number through the UIDAI website or the local Aadhaar centre.