Edit this postDigi Yatra International Trial 2026: Eligibility and Airport Guide
India is taking another step towards digital airport processing with the introduction of an international trial of Digi Yatra. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated a two-month exercise covering November and December 2026, allowing a limited group of international passengers to use digital identity verification at selected airports.
The initiative extends the use of Digi Yatra beyond domestic journeys. Initially, the facility is intended for eligible Indian citizens holding electronic passports and travelling on selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.
The trial will help authorities evaluate the technology in international travel conditions before considering a broader expansion in 2027.
Digi Yatra International Trial: At a Glance
- Trial duration: November–December 2026
- Participating airports: Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar
- Eligible travellers: Indian nationals with e-passports
- Airlines: Selected international flights of Air India and IndiGo
- Registration requirement: Digi Yatra mobile application and an NFC-compatible smartphone
- Future expansion: A wider international rollout is being considered for 2027.
1. Which Airports Are Participating?
The initial international trial is being conducted at seven airports across India:
- Delhi
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Cochin
- Mumbai
- Chennai
- Amritsar
At participating locations, the digital identity facility may be available at designated terminal entry points, Security Hold Areas and boarding gates.
Availability will depend on the infrastructure installed at each location. Passengers should not assume that every terminal or airport checkpoint will support the international trial.
2. Who Is Eligible to Use International Digi Yatra?
The first phase is limited to a defined group of travellers. Passengers must meet the following conditions:
- Be Indian nationals.
- Possess an electronic Indian passport, commonly called an e-passport.
- Be booked on an eligible international flight operated by Air India or IndiGo.
- Depart from one of the seven airports included in the trial.
- Have successfully created the required digital credential through the Digi Yatra application.
Consequently, foreign nationals, passengers travelling on other airlines and travellers whose flights are not included in the trial should not assume they can access this facility.
3. Why Is an E-Passport Required?
An electronic passport contains a small embedded chip that stores the holder's passport information and biometric details. Compatible electronic devices can read this chip to help verify the document's authenticity and associated information.
For the international Digi Yatra trial, the passport chip is used as part of the process of creating a digital identity credential. This credential can then be stored in the passenger's Digi Yatra wallet on a compatible smartphone.
Travellers should first establish whether their passport has an electronic chip before attempting registration.
4. How to Register for International Digi Yatra
Eligible passengers need a compatible smartphone with Near Field Communication (NFC) functionality. The registration process involves scanning the passport and verifying the passenger's identity.
Registration Process
Step 1: Open the Digi Yatra application
Install or open the official mobile application on a compatible smartphone.
Step 2: Scan the passport's information page
Use the phone camera to capture the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ), which appears at the bottom of the passport's personal information page.
Step 3: Read the passport chip
Activate NFC and position the smartphone as instructed by the application so that it can read the electronic chip.
Step 4: Complete facial verification
The application captures a selfie and uses it to verify the passenger's identity against the passport information.
Step 5: Store the digital credential
After successful verification, the e-passport-based Verifiable Credential is saved in the Digi Yatra wallet on the device.
Step 6: Use the facility at the airport
At participating touchpoints, the passenger can use the digital credential for identity verification, subject to the trial's operational arrangements.
5. At Which Airport Checkpoints Can It Be Used?
The trial is designed to support digital identity verification at selected points in the airport journey. These may include:
- Terminal entrance: Designated access points where Digi Yatra equipment is operational.
- Security Hold Area: Selected checkpoints before passengers enter the departure area.
- Boarding gate: Participating gates where the digital facility has been enabled.
The facility is not necessarily available at every checkpoint. Its use will depend on the airport's infrastructure and the passenger's flight arrangements.
6. Does Digi Yatra Eliminate the Need for a Physical Passport?
No. Passengers must continue carrying their physical passports and all other mandatory travel documents.
Digi Yatra is an additional digital identity facility. It does not replace the existing international travel process.
- Airline document checks remain applicable.
- Immigration clearance is still compulsory.
- Passengers must meet visa and destination-country entry requirements.
- Airport security procedures continue to apply.
Even after completing digital registration, travellers must follow the instructions of airline staff, airport authorities and immigration officials.
7. What Is the Purpose of the Two-Month Trial?
International travel involves additional verification requirements compared with domestic journeys. The trial gives authorities an opportunity to evaluate how digital identity verification works across different airports, airlines and operational touchpoints.
Passenger feedback and observations from participating stakeholders are expected to help identify technical and operational improvements. The findings will contribute to planning a possible wider international rollout in 2027.
However, a detailed expansion calendar and final eligibility conditions for future phases have not yet been specified in the information provided.
8. Digi Yatra's Expansion Across Indian Airports
The Ministry of Civil Aviation figures cited in the supplied report indicate that Digi Yatra has already developed a substantial domestic user base.
Registered users
26.5 million+
Journeys enabled
110 million+
Domestic airports covered
39
There is also a plan to extend the domestic network to another 25 airports by 2027. The international trial represents a separate stage in the development of the platform.
9. What Should Travellers Do Before Departure?
Passengers who believe they may qualify for the international trial should take a few precautions before arriving at the airport:
- Confirm that they hold an Indian e-passport.
- Check that their smartphone supports NFC.
- Complete the digital credential registration in advance.
- Confirm that their airline and specific international flight are included.
- Check whether Digi Yatra is operational at their departure terminal and relevant checkpoints.
- Carry their physical passport, visa and other required documents.
- Allow sufficient time for airline checks, security and immigration.
Key Takeaway for International Travellers
The international Digi Yatra trial could make selected airport processes more convenient for eligible Indian passengers. However, access is currently restricted to e-passport holders travelling on qualifying Air India and IndiGo international flights from seven participating airports.
The most important preparation is to create the digital credential in advance and confirm that the particular flight and airport touchpoints support the trial. A physical passport and all normal international travel formalities remain essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the Digi Yatra international trial taking place?
The reported trial period covers November and December 2026.
2. Which seven airports are included?
Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar.
3. Can foreign nationals use the international trial?
The initial eligibility described in the supplied report is limited to Indian nationals holding e-passports.
4. Which airlines are participating?
The trial covers selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.
5. Is NFC required for registration?
Yes. A compatible NFC-enabled smartphone is required to read the electronic chip in the passport during credential creation.
6. Can a passenger leave the physical passport at home?
No. The physical passport and other mandatory travel documents must still be carried.
7. Will Digi Yatra replace immigration checks?
No. Immigration clearance and all other mandatory international travel procedures remain unchanged.
8. Is Digi Yatra expected to expand internationally in 2027?
A wider rollout is being considered, but the detailed schedule and future eligibility conditions have not yet been confirmed in the supplied report.
Source credit: Financial Express. The article has been independently rewritten using the information supplied. Figures and trial arrangements should be checked against the latest official announcements.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and traveller awareness. Eligibility, airport facilities and trial arrangements may change. Passengers should confirm details with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Digi Yatra, their airline and the departure airport before travelling. All applicable passport, visa, security and immigration requirements remain in force.
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