The Advance Reservation Period (ARP) of Tatkal scheme has been reduced from two days at present to one day excluding the day of journey from the train originating station. For example, if train is to depart from the originating station on the second of the month, the Tatkal quota for that particular train shall open at 0800 hours on the first of the month.

No refund will be granted on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets except in case of circumstances mentioned in para 2 of instructions contained in Commercial Circular no. 53 of 2006 issued vide letter no. 2006/TGII/ 20/P/Tatkal, dated 30.06.2006.

Tatkal tickets shall be issued only on production of one of the eight prescribed proofs of identity as per procedure explained below:-

1. For this purpose, a self attested photo copy of the proof of identity of anyone passenger shall be attached to the requisition slip.
2.  The details of the identity proof shall be captured by the system and indicated on the reserved tickets as well on the reservation chart
3. It will not be mandatory for the passenger(s) to go to the counter to book the Tatkal ticket; however, the proof will have to be sent in the aforementioned manner.
4. During the journey, the passenger, whose identity card number has been indicated on the ticket, will have to produce original proof of identity indicated on the ticket, failing which all the passengers booked on the ticket shall be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly. Indication will come on the ticket regarding carrying the same original proof of identity during the journey, as indicated on the ticket.
5. If the passenger whose identity card number is indicated on the ticket is not travelling, all other passengers booked on that ticket, if found travelling in train, will be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly.
6. It will be possible to book a maximum of only four passengers per PNR for Tatkal tickets.

Requirement of Photo-ID while undertaking journey on Tatkal and e-Tickets:
As per Railway Board’s Commercial circular No. 36 of 2010, undertaking journey on Tatkal and e-Tickets, following eight proofs of identity shall be accepted:

1. Voter photo identity card issued by Election commission of India.
2. Passport.
3. PAN card issued by Income Tax department.
4. Driving license issued by RTO.
5. Photo identity card issued by central/state Government.
6. Student identity card with photograph issued by recognized school/college for their student.
7. Nationalised Bank Pass book with photograph.
8. Credit card issued by banks with laminated photograph.