Aadhaar Authentication For Online Tatkal Tickets Justified To Curb Bulk Booking: Kerala High Court Asks IRCTC To Consider PAN Option

The High Court also clarified that Aadhaar authentication is not required for the purchase of offline Tatkal tickets, and observed that IRCTC may consider PAN Card authentication as an alternative since it may serve the same OTP-based verification purpose.

The Court was hearing a public interest litigation challenging the Aadhaar-based OTP authentication introduced by the Ministry of Railways for Tatkal ticket booking through the IRCTC website and mobile application.

A Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M., while rejecting the challenge, observed: “In view of the fact that it is optional and there is no compulsion to share details for the purchase of tickets online through the IRCTC website and that the reason for insisting on Aadhaar authentication through the IRCTC website has a justification and is based on past experience of alleged deceit, manipulation, and bulk booking, the wisdom of such decision cannot be held to be unjustified even on the application of the proportionality test.”

Advocate S. Prasanth appeared for the petitioner, while Additional Solicitor General P. Sreekumar appeared for the Union of India, and Advocate Asha Cherian appeared for IRCTC.

Background

The petitioner argued that the Aadhaar-based OTP requirement for Tatkal bookings violated privacy and informational autonomy, and was contrary to the principles laid down in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India (2019).

The Railways and IRCTC defended the measure by stating that it was intended to ensure that genuine individual users could access the Tatkal booking system and to prevent bulk bookings by touts, syndicates and automated software.

Court’s Observations

The Court recorded the Railways’ stand that Aadhaar authentication was introduced to address misuse of the online Tatkal system.

It further recorded IRCTC’s explanation that Aadhaar authentication was meant to enforce one-person-one-booking rules, reduce multiple accounts, and filter automated or high-frequency booking attempts.

The Court took note of the respondents’ stand that Aadhaar authentication was carried out through UIDAI’s secure platform and that IRCTC or the Railways did not store Aadhaar numbers.

It also noted that the process was a one-time exercise and that persons unwilling to use Aadhaar could still purchase Tatkal tickets through counters.

Clarifying the scope of the requirement, the Court held that Aadhaar authentication is not required for the physical purchase of Tatkal tickets.

The Court observed that individuals who do not possess Aadhaar or do not wish to use it can obtain Tatkal tickets through counters without restriction.

The petitioner submitted that PAN Card authentication could also achieve the same objective as Aadhaar-based authentication. The Court found substance in the submission and left the issue for IRCTC’s consideration.

The Court stated: “PAN Card authentication may also lead to the same desired result as Aadhaar based OTP authentication, as even in the case of a PAN Card, an OTP is generated, and only thereafter is the transaction allowed wherever the PAN Card is used as authentication for making any payment.”

Conclusion

The High Court found no merit in the challenge and disposed of the petition. It upheld the Aadhaar-based authentication requirement for online Tatkal booking as optional and proportionate, clarified that no Aadhaar authentication is required for offline Tatkal ticket purchase, and said IRCTC may consider allowing Aadhaar or PAN Card authentication.

Cause Title: Bahadur Shah Anakkot Nasirali v. Union of India & Others (Neutral Citation: 2026:KER:54792)

Appearances

Petitioner: S. Prasanth, with Advocates Varsha Bhaskar, Anupama Sibi and Malavika K.

Respondents: P. Sreekumar, ASGI, with O.M. Shalina, Deputy Solicitor General of India, Asha Cherian, SC, IRCTC and Harikrishnan P.B., CGC

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