India is extending its Digi Yatra programme to international departures through the Digi Yatra International Passenger Trial (DY-IPT), a voluntary, controlled beta initiative scheduled from 1 November to 31 December 2026. The trial allows eligible Indian citizens holding valid chip-enabled ePassports to create a digital identity credential and use facial authentication at enabled airport touchpoints.

It is initially available on selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo from seven Indian airports to specific international destinations.

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What is the Digi Yatra International Passenger trial?

Beginning 1 November 2026, the Digi Yatra International Passenger Trial (DY-IPT) extends Digi Yatra’s facial-authentication-based passenger processing system to selected international departures from participating Indian airports.

Eligible passengers can create an ePassport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) through the Digi Yatra mobile application, add an eligible international boarding pass and use facial authentication at airport touchpoints where the required infrastructure is operational.

The trial will assess passenger experience, test system integrations and identify operational issues before any potential wider rollout.

Who is eligible to use Digi Yatra for international travel?

This trial is currently available for 2 months to Indian citizens holding valid chip-enabled ePassports, subject to the applicable airport, airline, flight-route and consent requirements.

To participate, passengers must meet the following criteria:

  • Be Indian citizens, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
  • Hold a valid chip-enabled Indian ePassport that can be read by the Digi Yatra application
  • Create an ePassport-based verifiable credential through the Digi Yatra app
  • Have an eligible international departure from a participating airport on a participating airline
  • Provide the required consent through the application

Is Digi Yatra mandatory for international travel?

No. Participation in DY-IPT is voluntary. Passengers who do not wish to use the facility can follow the regular airport, airline, security and immigration procedures.

Are NRIs eligible for the Digi Yatra international trial?

Yes. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) may participate if they remain Indian citizens and hold a valid chip-enabled Indian ePassport. Their overseas residence does not, by itself, make them ineligible. They must also meet the applicable flight, airport, registration and consent requirements.

Can Overseas Citizens of India cardholders or other foreign passport holders participate?

No. The current trial is restricted to Indian citizens holding valid chip-enabled Indian ePassports. OCI cardholders are foreign citizens and generally travel on foreign passports. Therefore, OCIs and other foreign nationals are not eligible under the stated trial criteria.

Can Indian citizens without chip-enabled ePassports participate?

No. A valid chip-enabled ePassport is required to generate the Verifiable Credential for the international trial. Passengers without an eligible ePassport must follow the regular international travel process.

Which airports are participating in the international trial?

The trial covers international departures from seven Indian airports.

Airport

City

IATA code

Indira Gandhi International Airport

Delhi

DEL

Kempegowda International Airport

Bengaluru

BLR

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

Hyderabad

HYD

Cochin International Airport

Kochi

COK

Chennai International Airport

Chennai

MAA

Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport

Amritsar

ATQ

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport

Mumbai

BOM

Digi Yatra is available only at enabled airport touchpoints. Its availability at terminal entry, Pre-Security Hold Area (Pre-SHA)/Pre-Embarkation Security Check (PESC) and boarding gates depends on airport infrastructure and the participating airline’s operational readiness.

Which airlines and international flights are covered?

DY-IPT covers selected direct international departures operated by two commercial airlines, i.e., Air India and IndiGo.

Eligible Flights Listed for DY-IPT

Airline

Origin

Destination

Flight number

Air India

Bengaluru (BLR)

London (LHR)

AI 133

IndiGo

Chennai (MAA)

Colombo (CMB)

6E 1179

IndiGo

Chennai (MAA)

Dubai (DXB)

6E 1471

IndiGo

Bengaluru (BLR)

Malé (MLE)

6E 1127

IndiGo

Bengaluru (BLR)

Kuala Lumpur (KUL)

6E 1037

IndiGo

Amritsar (ATQ)

Sharjah (SHJ)

6E 1427

IndiGo

Delhi (DEL)

Bangkok (BKK)

6E 1053

IndiGo

Delhi (DEL)

Phuket (HKT)

6E 1081

IndiGo

Kochi (COK)

Malé (MLE)

6E 1133

IndiGo

Mumbai (BOM)

Phuket (HKT)

6E 1311

IndiGo

Mumbai (BOM)

Bangkok (BKK)

6E 1059

IndiGo

Mumbai (BOM)

Malé (MLE)

6E 1141

IndiGo

Hyderabad (HYD)

Doha (DOH)

6E 1315

IndiGo

Hyderabad (HYD)

Kuwait City (KWI)

6E 1233

Source: DigiYatra Foundation

The trial applies only to eligible direct international journeys originating from participating airports. Transit and transfer journeys are outside its current scope.

How can passengers register for the Digi Yatra international trial?

Eligible passengers must create an ePassport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) through the Digi Yatra mobile application. The process involves scanning the passport’s Machine Readable Zone (MRZ), reading its embedded electronic chip through Near Field Communication (NFC) and completing selfie-based identity verification.

The ePassport’s embedded electronic chip must be read through NFC to complete the credential-generation process. Scanning the printed MRZ alone is insufficient. Passengers therefore need a smartphone with NFC capability and must enable the feature during registration.

A chip-enabled ePassport generally carries an international ePassport symbol on its front cover.

How does Digi Yatra work at international airports?

After generating the ePassport-based VC and adding an eligible international boarding pass, passengers can use facial authentication at participating Digi Yatra-enabled touchpoints.

The process is as follows:

  • Approaching a designated Digi Yatra-enabled gate at the airport
  • Allowing the system to capture the passenger’s facial image
  • Completing facial authentication against the digital identity credential
  • Proceeding through the checkpoint after successful verification

This facility may be available at three stages of airport processing:

  1. Terminal entry: Passengers can use enabled Digi Yatra lanes to enter the airport terminal through facial authentication.
  2. Pre-SHA/PESC: Facial authentication may be available at enabled checkpoints before passengers enter the security hold area, subject to airport and airline integration.
  3. Boarding gates: Selected boarding gates may support facial authentication where the required infrastructure and airline processes are operational.

Using Digi Yatra at terminal entry does not automatically mean that the facility is available at security or the boarding gate.

Does Digi Yatra replace airline document checks or immigration?

No. Digi Yatra does not replace mandatory airline document verification, aviation-security procedures or immigration and emigration formalities.

Passengers must continue to carry:

  • A valid physical chip-enabled ePassport
  • A valid visa or other entry authorisation, where required by the destination
  • Their international boarding pass and other airline-required travel documents
  • Any additional documents required by the destination country’s immigration authorities

Immigration and emigration procedures also remain mandatory. The digital identity credential is intended to complement the existing international departure process, not replace statutory checks or the responsibilities of airlines and government authorities.

How does Digi Yatra handle passenger data and privacy?

Under the DY-IPT process, the ePassport-based VC and boarding pass remain stored in the passenger’s Digi Yatra wallet on their smartphone. The Digi Yatra Foundation website does not maintain a central repository of passengers’ personally identifiable information or facial biometric data.

After passengers provide consent, information required for identity and journey validation is shared with the participating origin airport for enabled touchpoints. Under the trial arrangements, the airport is required to delete the shared passenger data within 24 hours of the flight’s Scheduled Departure Time (STD).

The ePassport VC and journey information stored locally in the Digi Yatra wallet remain under the passenger’s control and may be deleted through the app. Passengers can also revoke consent or delete the journey using the available Revoke/Delete option in the application.

Key takeaways

  • Trial period: 1 November to 31 December 2026.
  • Eligible passengers: Indian citizens, including NRIs, holding valid chip-enabled Indian ePassports.
  • Excluded passengers: OCI cardholders, other foreign nationals and Indian citizens without eligible chip-enabled ePassports.
  • Participating airlines: Air India and IndiGo, on selected international flights.
  • Participating airports: Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Chennai, Amritsar and Mumbai.
  • Registration: Requires MRZ scanning, NFC-based passport-chip reading and selfie verification through the Digi Yatra app.
  • Airport touchpoints: Enabled terminal-entry lanes, Pre-SHA/PESC checkpoints and boarding gates, subject to operational availability.
  • Mandatory procedures: Physical passport checks, airline document verification, aviation-security procedures and immigration requirements continue to apply.
  • Passenger choice: Participation is voluntary; the regular airport process remains available.
  • Data handling: The DigiYatra website states that information shared with the origin airport must be deleted within 24 hours of the flight’s scheduled departure time.

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