New Delhi, June 12 -- Starting July 15, Aadhaar-based OTP authentication will be compulsory for booking Tatkal tickets online via the IRCTC website or mobile app, the Ministry of Railways announced on Thursday.

The move aims to ensure equitable access to Tatkal tickets and curb misuse through bulk bookings.

Users will need to verify their identity using a one-time password sent to their Aadhaar-linked mobile number while booking online.

In a further move to prevent ticket hoarding, authorised agents will be barred from booking Tatkal tickets during the initial 30 minutes of the booking window.

The Railways has directed the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC to implement the necessary system upgrades and coordinate...