Lilshira
India launches Digi Yatra international trial at seven airports
India has begun a two‑month international Digi Yatra trial at seven major airports, allowing eligible Indian e‑passport holders on selected Air India and IndiGo flights to use biometric identity verification. The programme runs from November 2026 through December 2026 and targets passengers departing from the listed airports.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Biometric verification via Digi Yatra is trialled for eligible international flights
- Timing
- The trial runs from November 2026 to December 2026
- Who is affected
- Indian e‑passport holders on Air India or IndiGo international flights from seven airports
The details
- Announced by
- Ministry of Civil Aviation
- Takes effect
- November 2026
- Previous rule
- Before this trial, Digi Yatra was available only for domestic air travel since its launch in December 2022.
- New rule
- The trial extends Digi Yatra to international passengers who hold Indian e‑passports and travel on selected Air India or IndiGo flights, allowing biometric checks at designated checkpoints in seven airports.
Program Overview
The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced a two‑month international Digi Yatra trial covering Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Amritsar. The initiative aims to simplify identity verification at selected airport checkpoints while keeping existing passport and immigration checks unchanged.
- Trial period: November–December 2026
- Participating airports: seven major international gateways
- Technology: facial recognition linked to an e‑passport‑based digital credential
Eligibility and Registration
Only Indian nationals holding a valid e‑passport with an embedded chip may join the trial. Passengers must travel on selected international services operated by Air India or IndiGo. Registration requires the Digi Yatra mobile app, a smartphone with NFC capability, and the creation of a verifiable digital credential.
- Create a credential by scanning the passport MRZ and reading the chip via NFC
- Capture a selfie for facial verification
- Store the generated Verifiable Credential in the app’s wallet
Trial Scope and Timeline
The service is available only at checkpoints where the necessary infrastructure has been installed. Even eligible passengers may encounter conventional identity checks at stages where the trial technology is not yet deployed. The trial will collect operational data and passenger feedback before any wider rollout planned for 2027.
The government has not released a detailed flight‑by‑flight schedule, so travellers should verify eligibility with their airline and airport before departure.
- Only designated terminals, security hold areas and boarding gates support the trial
- Non‑eligible passengers continue to use standard passport and immigration procedures
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- If you have a booked international flight with Air India or IndiGo from one of the seven airports, you may use the Digi Yatra checkpoint during the trial period.
- Confirm with your airline and the departure airport whether your specific flight is included in the trial before arriving.
Cost and documents
- No extra fee is charged for using the Digi Yatra service in the trial.
- You must possess a valid Indian e‑passport and a smartphone with NFC to create the required digital credential.
What you need to do
- Register a Verifiable Credential in the Digi Yatra app before travel, scanning your e‑passport and completing selfie verification.
- Ensure your flight is operated by Air India or IndiGo and departs from one of the seven participating airports.
Who this affects
-
Indian e‑passport holders on Air India international flights
The trial is limited to Indian nationals with e‑passports flying on selected Air India services.
What to do Create a Digi Yatra credential in the app and use designated checkpoints at the participating airports.
-
Indian e‑passport holders on IndiGo international flights
IndiGo is one of the two airlines included in the trial for eligible e‑passport holders.
What to do Register in the Digi Yatra app and present the credential at trial‑enabled checkpoints.
-
Passengers departing from the seven participating airports
Only these airports have the infrastructure installed for the international Digi Yatra trial.
What to do Check airline and airport communications to verify trial eligibility for your flight.
-
Foreign nationals
The announced eligibility excludes non‑Indian passport holders.
-
Indian travellers with conventional passports
The trial requires an electronic passport with an embedded chip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Digi Yatra international trial in India?
The Digi Yatra international trial is a two‑month pilot that lets eligible Indian e‑passport holders on selected Air India and IndiGo flights use biometric identity verification at designated checkpoints in seven Indian airports.
Which airports are part of the Digi Yatra international trial?
The trial includes Delhi (Indira Gandhi International), Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International), Bengaluru (Kempegowda International), Hyderabad (Rajiv Gandhi International), Chennai (Chennai International), Kochi (Cochin International) and Amritsar (Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International).
Who can use Digi Yatra for international flights?
Only Indian citizens holding a valid e‑passport and traveling on selected international services operated by Air India or IndiGo can use the Digi Yatra facility during the trial.
How do I create the Digi Yatra credential for the trial?
Download the Digi Yatra app, scan the passport’s MRZ, use the phone’s NFC to read the chip, capture a selfie, complete verification and store the generated Verifiable Credential in the app’s wallet before travel.
When does the Digi Yatra international trial run?
The trial started in November 2026 and is scheduled to continue through December 2026, covering a two‑month period at the seven selected airports.
