New Rule December 2025: Indian Railways has made a major update in Tatkal ticket booking rules and made OTP based system mandatory. This new rule will be implemented from today i.e. 1st December and will be started from some selected trains. Its purpose is to stop fake booking and to give opportunity to those passengers who really need to travel urgently but are not able to get the ticket confirmed. From December 1, major changes like OTP system on IRCTC Tatkal tickets, SBI ATM fee change, mCash service stopped, GST return strictness and showing mobile caller name will be implemented. These updates will impact travelers, bank customers and businessmen.
OTP system on Tatkal ticket
Railways has made OTP mandatory for Tatkal tickets from December 1, starting with Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express. The booking will be completed only after entering the OTP sent to the registered mobile number while booking the ticket. Railways says that this will stop the use of fake mobile numbers and will increase the chances of essential and genuine passengers getting tickets. It will be implemented in all railway zones in the coming months.
Where will the new system be implemented
The new system is not limited to online booking only but will be applicable to all computerized railway counters, IRCTC website, mobile app and authorized railway agents. Railways believes that this system will make the booking process more secure and transparent. The main objective of this change is to ensure identity of passengers.
It will be necessary to update mobile number
Railways has advised passengers to keep their mobile number updated before booking tickets. The same number should be active in the IRCTC account on which OTP is to be received. You should avoid entering someone else’s number during booking because it will not be possible to change the number after sending the OTP. This step has been taken to stop fake customer details.
Now limited free transactions in SBI ATM
Changes in the charges for SBI ATM and Automated Deposit cum Withdrawal Machine transactions (ADWM transactions) will be applicable from December 1. Salary account holders will get only 10 free transactions, after which Rs 23 will have to be paid per transaction. Non-financial transaction charges have also been increased from Rs 10 to Rs 11. A limit of 5 free transactions has been fixed for savings account holders. The bank says that this update has been done with the aim of improving service quality and increasing digital payments.
mcash facility closed
SBI has decided to stop mCash facility available on YONO Lite and Online SBI. From December 1, customers will not be able to send or receive money through this feature. The bank has advised customers to use options like UPI, IMPS, NEFT and RTGS. SBI says that this change was necessary for security and system improvement.
GST return strictness
GSTN has announced that businessmen who have not filed returns for three years or more will not be able to file returns from December onwards. This step has been taken to bring discipline in the tax system. Traders will have to first update the old returns, only then further filing can be done. This is expected to strengthen tax compliance.
Now the real name of the caller will be visible
The Department of Telecommunications is going to implement CNAP i.e. Caller Name Presentation System from December 15. After this facility, when a call is received on mobile or landline, the same real name of the caller will be visible on the screen which he has entered in the KYC form. This will stop fake and spam calls and the need for apps like Truecaller will reduce significantly. This is being considered a big step towards strengthening the protection of consumers.
Leave a Reply