Starting November 2026, seven Indian airports will initiate international Digi Yatra biometric travel trials. The airports included are Delhi (DEL), Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD), Cochin (COK), Mumbai (BOM), Chennai (MAA), and Amritsar (ATQ). The trials will run through December 2026 and cover international passenger processing on selected Air India and IndiGo flights.
Eligibility and Passenger Requirements
The trials apply exclusively to Indian nationals holding valid electronic passports. Passengers must possess smartphones with Near Field Communication (NFC) capabilities to participate. This setup enables secure biometric authentication linked to their e-passport credentials.
Verifiable Credentials and Biometric Verification Process
Eligible passengers are required to generate a Verifiable Credential (VC) based on their e-passport
using the Digi Yatra mobile application before traveling. The process involves scanning the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) of the passport and reading the embedded electronic chip via NFC. A selfie is taken to perform facial biometric verification, completing the digital identity creation. This VC is stored within the Digi Yatra wallet on the passenger’s smartphone for use at participating airport checkpoints.
Passenger Journey and IndiGo’s Role
IndiGo passengers can upload their boarding passes to the Digi Yatra app after completing standard check-in and document verification by the airline. Once verified, they can access designated Security Hold Areas and boarding gates using Digi Yatra biometric face
authentication. IndiGo’s Chief Digital and Information Officer Neetan Chopra emphasized that successful deployment could enhance security, passenger convenience, and operational efficiency.
Existing Travel Protocols and Ministry of Civil Aviation Plans
Passengers must continue carrying physical travel documents and complying with immigration and airline verification procedures, as Digi Yatra trials complement but do not replace current requirements. The Ministry of Civil Aviation will evaluate operational feedback from trial participants and infrastructure capabilities during November-December 2026. The objective is to prepare for a broader international Digi Yatra rollout scheduled for 2027.
Industry Perspectives and International Interoperability
Digi Yatra Foundation CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi identified the trials as a strategic step toward extending digital identity benefits for Indian
nationals on international flights. The Foundation plans interoperability with global aviation frameworks including IATA One ID and ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD) to support secure cross-border biometric travel. IndiGo supports integrating technology to streamline passenger processing across airport touchpoints.
Digi Yatra Domestic Operations and Government Objectives
Before the international launch, Digi Yatra served over 26.5 million users, facilitating more than 110 million passenger journeys across 39 domestic airports. The government aims to expand the platform to 25 additional domestic airports by 2027 as part of its Digital India initiative. The international trials leverage this domestic foundation to assess biometric technology performance and passenger experience in varied airport
environments.
