Aadhaar verification for Tatkal train tickets not violative of privacy rights, says Kerala HC
Kerala High Court upholds Aadhaar-based OTP authentication for Tatkal railway bookings as a privacy-compatible anti-abuse measure
- The Kerala High Court upheld Aadhaar-based OTP authentication for Tatkal train bookings as compatible with privacy rights.
- Indian Railways argued that Aadhaar-based OTP authentication is needed to curb deceit, manipulation, bulk booking, touts, and automated software.
What happened
The Kerala High Court held that Aadhaar-based OTP authentication for Tatkal train bookings does not violate privacy rights. The court said the authentication system is optional and passengers are not compelled to share Aadhaar details for online ticket purchases.
The court accepted the Railways’ explanation that the measure is intended to curb deceit, manipulation, bulk booking, and the use of touts or automated software, so that genuine users can access Tatkal tickets more fairly.
UPSC can frame the issue around the constitutional balance between informational privacy and the State’s interest in preventing fraud, touts, and bulk booking in railway reservations. The Kerala High Court ruling also links technology-enabled governance with accessibility, choice, and proportionality in service design.
Related dispatches
