Indian Railways has introduced an OTP-based ticketing system to strengthen passenger verification and curb illegal bookings. The initiative is designed to enhance transparency, improve travel security, and prevent misuse of the ticketing system on major routes.
The OTP verification system became operational on January 12 and currently covers 300 major trains. Under this system, tickets—whether booked online or at counters—will only be issued after the passenger’s identity is confirmed via an OTP sent to a registered mobile number.
For counter bookings, passengers must provide a valid mobile number. The system sends an OTP instantly, and the ticket is issued only after the OTP is shared and authenticated. A similar process has been integrated into online bookings on the Indian Railways portal to ensure consistent identity checks.
The rollout includes premium trains such as Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto Express services. Some areas, like Prayagraj, had already piloted OTP verification for counter tickets, but the expanded implementation now standardizes the process across multiple zones and high-demand routes.
Key points:
- OTP-based ticketing helps prevent fake and bulk bookings by unauthorized agents.
- The system currently covers 300 major trains in India.
- OTP verification is mandatory for both online and counter bookings.
- Premium trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi are included in the first phase.
Officials have said the system will be gradually expanded. If successful, OTP verification will be extended to all trains nationwide, reducing illegal booking practices and increasing passenger confidence in the ticketing process.
