If you often travel by train and book tickets last minute, there’s good news for you! Starting April 15, 2025, Indian Railways is making some important changes to the Tatkal ticket booking system to make it fairer for regular passengers and reduce misuse by agents.
New Booking Times and Agent Restrictions
The booking times for Tatkal tickets have been updated to give everyday passengers a better chance to get confirmed tickets.
Now, agents are no longer allowed to book tickets between 10 AM and 12 Noon. This change helps passengers secure tickets without competition from agents.
Here’s the new booking schedule:
AC Classes (1A, 2A, 3A, Chair Car) – Booking starts at 11 AM
Non-AC Classes (Sleeper, Second Sitting) – Booking starts at 12 Noon
Previously, bookings started at 10 AM and 11 AM. These new times will reduce congestion and waiting lists, making the process smoother.
Easier Booking on IRCTC
To make booking even easier, the IRCTC website and mobile app have been updated:
Passenger details will be pre-filled after login, saving time.
Payment window has been extended from 3 minutes to 5 minutes.
The captcha system has been simplified for easier use.
Important Things to Remember
A maximum of 4 passengers can travel on one PNR.
No concessions are available for Tatkal tickets.
You must carry a valid ID card during travel.
Last-Minute Travel Made Easier
With these updates, booking Tatkal tickets is now more transparent and easier. You no longer need to rely on agents, even for last-minute trips.
Just keep these rules in mind for a smoother booking experience!
