Pune: Tatkal Bookings on Duronto, Vande Bharat and Rajdhani Trains to Get OTP Verification From December 6
Pune, 3rd December 2025: Railways will introduce a new OTP-based authentication system for Tatkal ticket bookings on select Duronto, Vande Bharat and Rajdhani trains of Central Railway with effect from 6 December 2025. The mechanism will apply to Tatkal tickets booked through computerized PRS counters, authorized agents, and the IRCTC website/app.
As per the procedure, passengers will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on the mobile number provided at the time of booking, and the Tatkal ticket will be issued only after successful OTP validation. The system has been introduced to strengthen transparency and prevent misuse of Tatkal quota.
According to Central Railway, the facility will be implemented for the following trains from 6 December 2025:
1. 12219 LTT–Secunderabad Duronto Express
2. 12221 Pune–Howrah Duronto Express
3. 12223 LTT–Ernakulam Jn Duronto Express
4. 12261 CSMT–Howrah Duronto Express
5. 12263 Pune–Hazrat Nizamuddin Jn Duronto Express
6. 12289 CSMT–Nagpur Duronto Express
7. 12290 Nagpur–CSMT Duronto Express
8. 12293 LTT–Prayagraj Duronto Express
9. 12298 Pune–Ahmedabad Jn Duronto Express
10. 20101 Nagpur–Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express
11. 20670 Pune–Hubballi Jn Vande Bharat Express
12. 20673 Kolhapur CSMT–Pune Vande Bharat Express
13. 20674 Pune–Kolhapur CSMT Vande Bharat Express
14. 22221 CSMT Mumbai–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (effective 5 December 2025)
The OTP-based system has already been implemented for 12025 Pune–Hyderabad Shatabdi Express from 1 December 2025.
Central Railway has advised passengers to ensure that the correct mobile number is provided during Tatkal booking to avoid inconvenience.
