Key Points

• Indian Railways introduces a token system for Tatkal ticket bookings at reservation counters from August 1, 2026.
• Token distribution and ticket booking timings are now synchronised, so passengers no longer need to visit the counter twice.
• Each counter initially issues 10 tokens for AC Tatkal bookings and 15 for non-AC bookings, with numbers adjustable by demand.
• The change applies only to counter bookings; Tatkal booking through the IRCTC website and app remains unchanged.

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 1: Indian Railways has introduced a new token-based system for Tatkal ticket bookings at reservation counters from August 1, 2026, aimed at cutting queues and ending the practice of passengers having to visit a station twice, once to collect a token and again later to book the ticket. The West Central Railway zone is overseeing the rollout as part of Indian Railways' wider counter-booking reforms.

How the Token System Works

Under the earlier system, passengers collected a token during a fixed morning slot and had to return separately once Tatkal booking hours began, often standing in two different queues on the same day. From August 1, token distribution and the start of ticket booking happen at the same time, so a passenger completes the entire process, collecting the token and booking the ticket, in a single visit.

Token timings follow the existing Tatkal booking schedule. Tokens for AC-class Tatkal bookings are issued between 8:30 am and 9:00 am, while non-AC tokens are handed out between 9:00 am and 9:30 am. Each reservation counter initially issues 10 tokens for AC bookings and 15 for non-AC bookings, though railway officials say these numbers can be increased or reduced depending on passenger demand and local requirements at individual stations.

Token Categories and Priority

The new system also introduces two token categories to prioritise family bookings. Category A tokens are reserved for passengers booking on behalf of family members, while Category B covers other bookings. To claim a Category A token, a passenger must show their own valid photo identification along with that of the family member they are booking for. Tokens cannot be transferred from one person to another.

If Tatkal seats remain available after all token holders have completed their bookings, remaining seats are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis to passengers without a token. Passengers are advised to carry a valid government-issued photo identity document, such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, driving licence or PAN card, when visiting the counter.

What Doesn't Change

The token system applies strictly to bookings made in person at Passenger Reservation System counters. Tatkal ticket bookings through the IRCTC website or the IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app continue to follow the existing process, unaffected by the new counter rule. Aadhaar-based OTP authentication, already mandatory for online Tatkal bookings, also remains unchanged.

Why It Matters

Tatkal tickets serve passengers who need to travel on short notice, and reservation counters have long seen overcrowding and long waits in the early morning hours when Tatkal booking opens. Railway officials say synchronising token distribution with booking hours is expected to reduce overcrowding, cut down wasted waiting time, and make the counter booking process more orderly and transparent.

What's Next

The rollout begins under West Central Railway and is expected to be assessed for demand-based adjustments to token numbers at individual stations. Passengers planning to book Tatkal tickets at counters from August 1 onward are advised to check updated timings at their local station before travelling.