Kerala High Court Upholds Aadhar-Based Authentication For Online Tatkal Tickets, Asks IRCTC To Also Consider PAN As Alternative
The Kerala High Court has upheld the Aadhaar-based OTP authentication for online tatkal ticket booking in trains on IRCTC platform. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 393]The Court, however, asked the IRCTC to consider whether an option can be provided to users to choose between PAN card and Aadhar-based OTP authentication.The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M....
The Kerala High Court has upheld the Aadhaar-based OTP authentication for online tatkal ticket booking in trains on IRCTC platform. [2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 393]
The Court, however, asked the IRCTC to consider whether an option can be provided to users to choose between PAN card and Aadhar-based OTP authentication.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. 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. On such consideration, we do not find any merit in this matter. However, we clarify that, for the purchase of offline Tatkal tickets, Aadhaar based authentication is not required.”
It added:
“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. In such view of the matter, the IRCTC may consider the option of Aadhaar or PAN Card for authentication, as they may lead to the same desired result.”
The Court was considering a public interest litigation challenging the introduction of Aadhaar based OTP authentication introduced by the Union Ministry of Railways vide a notification dated June 10, 2025.
The petitioner contended that aadhar-based authentication violates right to privacy and informational autonomy if citizens. Moreover, the same does not address the actual infrastructure and technical deficiencies related to the functioning of the tatkal booking, it was argued. He also pointed out that prior to the afore notification, there was no Aadhaar-based OTP authentication.
The respondents, including Union and Railways, filed counter affidavits whereby they stated that the authentication was introduced to ensure only genuine person can access the tatkal ticket booking. It is also intended to prevent bulk booking of tickets, which had previously caused hardship to the public.
They also affirmed that the Aadhaar-based authentication is operated strictly in accordance with the Aadhaar Act, 2016 and the regulations under it. Further, authentication is carried out with the informed consent of users using encrypted communication channels and merely a yes or no response is sought or e-KYC information, they said.
The respondents also stated that there is no access to Aadhaar database given to the entity requesting authentication. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) maintains strict security safeguards, they assured.
The Additional Solicitor General of India (ASGI) also submitted that aadhaar numbers are not stored by the IRCTC or the Railways. Moreover, it was clarified that aadhaar-authentication is a one-time process, which need not be done for each booking. He further pointed out that individuals still have the option of booking tatkal tickets through counters and there is no Aadhaar authentication for physical purchase of tickets.
They further claimed that voter ID or PAN Card or other IDs does not have the mechanism to provide real-time, robust authentication that Aadhaar has. These alternatives can be considered only when reliable verification mechanism is provided by their respective authorities.
The IRCTC's stand was that Aadhaar-authentication prevent bulk booking without increasing server capacity and affords other technical benefits.
After hearing the parties, the Court found that insistence on Aadhar authentication reasoned. It, however, opined that the IRCTC can consider the option of PAN card authentication also.
The Court, thus, disposed of the PIL.
Case No: WP(PIL) No. 129 of 2025
Case Title: Bahadur Shah Anakkot Nasirali v. Union of India and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 393
Counsel for the petitioner: S. Prasanth (Ayyappankavu), Varsha Bhaskar, Anupama Sibi, Malavika K.
Counsel for the respondents: P. Sreekumar – ASGI, O.M. Shalina – DSGI, Asha Cherian – Standing Counsel – IRCTC, Harikrishnan P.B. – Central government counsel