REGULATORY · INDIA
Indian Railways enacts revised ticketing and cancellation rules
Change
Indian Railways implemented revised ticketing rules including automated refunds on cancellations, Aadhaar OTP verification, bot-detection and booking limits for agents, and a 30-minute pre-departure upgrade window.
Why it matters
The Railways implemented a revised ticketing and cancellation system under the Reform Express initiative. Technology to detect bots and fraudulent software has been deployed and booking by agents/touts is restricted immediately after the Tatkal window opens. Aadhaar-based OTP verification is required for bookings. The Ticket Deposit Receipt requirement for e-tickets has been removed and refunds are processed automatically on cancellation. Passengers can upgrade travel class up to 30 minutes before departure, whereas earlier upgrades were permitted only before reservation-chart preparation.
Implications
- · Agents and touts face constrained ability to place immediate Tatkal bookings due to booking limits and bot-detection controls.
- · Passengers no longer need to file Ticket Deposit Receipts; refunds are processed automatically on cancellation, changing refund processing steps.
- · Aadhaar OTP verification adds an identity validation step to booking flows and ticketing platforms.
- · Late upgrades (up to 30 minutes pre-departure) change cutoffs for seat allocation and reservation-chart operations.
Who is affected
- · Operators
- · Compliance teams
Source
Topics
World & Politics Policy & Regulation Law & Public Safety Compliance