New tatkal ticket booking rules from July 1: In a big move, Indian Railways has announced that from July 1, 2025 onwards, only Aadhaar authenticated users will be able to book tatkal train tickets. The Railway Ministry has issued a directive on June 10, 2025, to all railway zones, stating that this requirement aims “to ensure that the benefits of the Tatkal Scheme are received by the common end users.”

The official communication specified that “With effect from 01-07-2025, tickets under Tatkal scheme can be booked through the website of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)/ its app only by Aadhaar authenticated users.”

Furthermore, the ministry has stipulated that from July 15, 2025, passengers will need to complete an additional Aadhaar-based OTP authentication step for Tatkal bookings.

New Tatkal Ticket Rules 2025 Explained:

• From July 1, 2025, train tickets under the Indian Railways’ Tatkal scheme will be exclusively available for booking through the IRCTC website or its mobile application only for passengers or users who have completed their Aadhaar authentication process.
• Additionally, starting July 15, 2025, the ministry has mandated that travellers must undergo a supplementary Aadhaar-linked OTP verification process whilst making Tatkal reservations.
• The directive additionally outlined restrictions for Indian Railways’ authorised ticketing agents regarding Tatkal bookings.
• These agents will face a prohibition on securing first-day Tatkal tickets during the initial 30-minute period of the booking window. The restriction applies from 10.00 am to 10.30 am for air-conditioned classes and from 11.00 am to 11.30 am for non-air-conditioned classes.

The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have received instructions from the ministry to implement required system alterations and relay these updates to every zonal railway division.

Mumbai: Mumbai Crime Branch sources have confirmed the arrest of Zeeshan Akhtar, the main accused and mastermind of the murder of senior NCP leader Baba Siddiqui, in Canada and preparations for his extradition have also been started. Zeeshan Akhtar is the accused of carrying out the murder conspiracy and was in contact with the shooters. In this case, Mumbai Crime Branch has arrested a total of 26 accused and a charge sheet has been filed against them under MCOCA. Zeeshan Akhtar was in contact with Shubham Lonkar and he was also in contact with Anmol Bishnoi.

Zeeshan is also accused of helping the shooters. Zeeshan had earlier claimed to have taken refuge with gangster Shahzad Bhatti in Pakistan, but the investigating agency claims that he made this claim to mislead the Crime Branch and investigating agencies, while he went to Canada via Nepal on a fake passport and his arrest in the fake passport case will be made in Canada itself. Interpol had also issued a red corner notice for Zeeshan, along with this his search was also going on. Shubham Lonkar, a prime accused in this case, is still absconding. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang took responsibility for the murder of Baba Siddiqui and Anmol Bishnoi had planned it and Zeeshan was in contact with him.

Many of the 26 accused arrested by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this case have made important revelations in this case, while after the arrest of Zeeshan, the Crime Branch has got a big success in this case and now further progress is certain in the Baba Siddiqui murder case. After the murder of Baba Siddiqui, it was sensationally revealed that Baba Siddiqui is a close and trusted friend of film actor Salman Khan, which is why he was on the target of Lawrence Bishnoi. Along with this, Baba Siddiqui’s son Zeeshan Siddiqui has received threats many times. Along with this, the police has also increased the security of Zeeshan Siddiqui. How long Zeeshan stayed in Nepal after the murder and with whom he was in contact are also important aspects of the investigation. The Crime Branch has started preparing documents for Zeeshan’s extradition and soon the Mumbai Crime Branch will bring Zeeshan to Mumbai.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting here today, termed the allegations of Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi against the Election Commission of India (EC) as baseless and said that Rahul Gandhi had not complained to the Election Commission regarding this but his cell had corresponded with the Election Commission regarding this. The Election Commission has sent a 60-page reply to all the objections, despite this, Rahul Gandhi is lying. His job is to lie. He said that Operation Sindoor is a source of pride for the country and cannot be questioned, but people are also questioning it. Several political leaders have different opinions on this. Someone hides something in the newspaper.

The Chief Minister said that the economy of 25 crore people has improved and they have risen above the poverty line. To say that some people have benefited is to say that some people earn a few paise more, but even the last person has got an opportunity. The country’s economy is developing rapidly. Devendra Fadnavis refused to say anything on Jayant Patil’s resignation from the responsibilities of the state president, but he did say this much that it is necessary to understand why Jayant Patil expressed his desire to resign from all responsibilities.