Indian Railway plans to implement OTP-based window tickets in tatkal in next few days

The Railways initiated a pilot project for an OTP-based Tatkal reservation system for tickets booked at reservation counters on 17 November 2025

Indian Railways is moving ahead with major reforms in its ticketing system, led by a nationwide rollout of an OTP-based Tatkal reservation mechanism and a shift to earlier chart preparation. The OTP-based process, first proposed to improve convenience and curb misuse, has already been successfully tested across 52 trains and will be extended to all remaining services in the coming days, ANI reported.

Indian Railways had earlier introduced Aadhaar-based authentication for online Tatkal bookings in July 2025 and implemented an OTP-based system for all general reservations on the first day of booking in October 2025. Both measures have seen strong adoption, enhancing transparency and easing the reservation experience for passengers.

The latest pilot brings the OTP verification step to over-the-counter Tatkal bookings: passengers receive a one-time password on the mobile number provided in the reservation form, and tickets are confirmed only after successful authentication. The move aims to curb misuse of the high-demand Tatkal quota and ensure fair access for genuine travellers.

Indian Railways is preparing to shift chart preparation to eight hours before departure—up from the current four-hour window. Approved by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the change will be implemented in phases and is expected to give passengers earlier clarity on waitlist status, allowing more time to plan alternative travel arrangements.

*With Agency Inputs