NEWS
New Tatkal Ticket Rules: Big change in Railway's Tatkal ticket rules: Indian Railways gave a big update
Indian Railways has made important changes in the Tatkal ticket booking system to increase the convenience of passengers and reduce the hassle of last minute ticket booking. These new rules, which will come into effect from April 2025, are aimed at making the ticket booking process transparent, preventing misuse and making confirmed tickets easily available to genuine passengers.
What is a Tatkal ticket?
Tatkal scheme is a special facility of Indian Railways through which passengers can book tickets in a short time. This scheme is mainly for emergency or sudden travellers, but due to limited seats and high demand, these tickets get filled quickly.
What has changed in 2025?
Dynamic pricing implemented
Now the price of Tatkal tickets will not remain fixed. It may fluctuate depending upon the demand and booking time.
Booking with Aadhar Card is mandatory
Aadhaar based verification has been made mandatory while booking Tatkal tickets online to prevent fake bookings.
New booking timing
Now the booking time slots are fixed category wise:
CategoryBooking Time
AC Coaches 1 day before travel
Non-AC coaches 1 day before travel
Premium Instant (AC) 1 day before travel
Premium Tatkal (SL) 1 day before travel
Women and Senior Citizen Quota Time set as per class
Agent Booking After 12:15 p.m.
Control over agent bookings
IRCTC authorised agents can no longer make bookings for the first 15 minutes of the opening of the Tatkal window. Violating the rule will attract a fine of up to ₹10,000.
New fare structure for 2025 (including tatkal charges)
Coach CategoryNormal FareInstant FeeMaximum Fare
Sleeper (SL) ₹400 ₹100 – ₹200 ₹600
3AC ₹1,000 ₹300 – ₹400 ₹1,400
2AC ₹1,500 ₹400 – ₹500 ₹2,000
Chair Car (CC) ₹700 ₹125 – ₹200 ₹900
Executive Class, First AC Not Applicable
New system of refund and cancellation
New rules applicable from 2025:
- No refund will be given on confirmed tickets.
- 50% refund on waiting tickets after chart preparation.
- Partial/full refund possible on medical proof in emergency cases.
- Last date for cancellation of ticket: 30 minutes before departure
Ticket TypeCancellation timeRefund Eligibility
Confirm immediately anytime won't get it
Waiting Ticket (Before Chart) Yes Full refund
Waiting Ticket (After Chart) Yes 50% refund
in emergency With medical evidence 100% (depends on the situation)
Documents required for booking
Now verification through Aadhar card is mandatory. Also, passengers will have to carry the same identity card which was used while booking the ticket.
Valid ID Card:
- Aadhar Card (required for online booking)
- Voter ID
- Passport
- PAN card
- Driving License
Tips for getting Tatkal tickets
- Log in to IRCTC website 10 minutes before booking time.
- Save passenger details in advance.
- Pay using fast internet and UPI/Net Banking.
- Make bookings from laptop/desktop instead of mobile app.
- Do not book tickets from agents in the first 15 minutes.
