Tatkal Ticket Booking From August 1: Token Rule, Timings, Documents And Everything You Need To Know

Indian Railways is introducing a new token system for Tatkal ticket bookings at reservation counters from August 1 in select railway zones to reduce long queues and make the booking process more organised. The change applies only to passengers booking offline at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and does not replace online Tatkal booking through IRCTC. (File Photo)

Passengers booking Tatkal tickets at railway reservation counters will now have to collect a token before joining the booking queue. The token will determine the order in which passengers can book their tickets, helping reduce crowding and confusion. (Image: AI-Generated)

The new token system comes into effect from August 1 in the railway zones introducing it. It is meant only for bookings made at railway reservation counters. If you book Tatkal tickets through the IRCTC website or app, the process remains unchanged. (File Photo)

Passengers will first collect a token from the reservation counter before Tatkal booking opens. When their token number is called, they can proceed to the booking window to purchase their ticket. This is expected to make the process more orderly and reduce waiting time. (Image: AI-Genrated)

Under the revised system, the AC tatkal tokens will be distributed from 8:30 am to 9:00 am and the non-AC tatkal tokens will be distributed from 9:00 am to 9:30 am. (File Photo)

Initially, each reservation counter is expected to issue 10 tokens for AC Tatkal bookings and 15 tokens for non-AC bookings. Railway authorities may increase or decrease this number depending on local demand. If Tatkal seats remain available after all token holders have been served, booking will continue on a first-come, first-served basis. (File Photo)

The booking timings remain the same: 10:00 am for AC classes and 11:00 am for Sleeper and other non-AC classes. Only the token distribution timings have changed. (File Photo)

Passengers booking a Tatkal ticket at a railway reservation counter should carry a valid government-issued photo ID and keep the details of all passengers handy. Acceptable IDs include Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport, Driving Licence, PAN Card or other valid government-approved photo identity documents. (Image: AI-Generated)