India Begins International Digi Yatra Trials at Seven Major Airports to Simplify Passenger Verification with E-Passports

Image generated with Ai

India has launched Digi Yatra international trials at seven airports from November 2026, allowing eligible Indian e-passport holders travelling on selected Air India and IndiGo international flights to use biometric identity verification at designated airport checkpoints. The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the two-month programme on 1 November, covering Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Amritsar through December 2026. Passengers must create an e-passport-based digital credential using the Digi Yatra application. The initiative aims to simplify selected airport procedures, while existing passport checks, airline document verification and mandatory immigration requirements remain unchanged. Press Information Bureau

India Begins Digi Yatra International Trials at Seven Airports in November 2026

The expansion marks an important development in India’s digital aviation programme, which has primarily supported domestic air travel since its introduction in December 2022.

For the first time under the newly announced national trial, eligible international passengers will be able to use Digi Yatra’s identity verification technology at selected airport touchpoints.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that the trials commenced in November 2026 and are scheduled to continue until December.

Seven major international airports have been included in the initial programme. However, the facility is not being made available to every passenger departing from these airports.

Participation is limited to Indian nationals holding electronic passports and travelling on selected international flights operated by Air India or IndiGo.

The government has also clarified that the necessary airport infrastructure must be available before a particular checkpoint can support the service.

This means that even an eligible passenger may encounter conventional identity checks at some stages of the journey.

The initial programme is designed to collect operational information and passenger feedback before authorities consider wider deployment in 2027.

For travellers, the immediate benefit is a new option for identity verification at participating airport checkpoints.

The wider objective is to examine whether India’s existing domestic biometric processing system can be adapted to the additional requirements of international aviation.

Which Seven Indian Airports Are Participating in the International Digi Yatra Trial?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has named seven airports participating in the November–December 2026 programme.

The selected locations represent major international aviation gateways across northern, western and southern India.

Official List of Participating Airports

City	Participating airport	State or territory
Delhi	Indira Gandhi International Airport	Delhi
Mumbai	Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport	Maharashtra
Bengaluru	Kempegowda International Airport	Karnataka
Hyderabad	Rajiv Gandhi International Airport	Telangana
Chennai	Chennai International Airport	Tamil Nadu
Kochi	Cochin International Airport	Kerala
Amritsar	Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport	Punjab

The government confirmed all seven locations in its announcement dated 1 November 2026. Press Information Bureau

The list identifies participating airports rather than specific terminals, gates or international destinations.

Consequently, travellers should not assume that every international departure at Delhi, Mumbai or any other participating airport is eligible.

The facility will operate only on selected flights and at checkpoints equipped to support the trial.

For example, an Indian passenger travelling internationally from Bengaluru may meet the nationality and passport conditions but still need to confirm whether their particular airline service is participating.

The same principle applies across all seven locations.

The government has not published a comprehensive flight-by-flight schedule covering every eligible departure in its national announcement.

Passengers should therefore rely on current airline and airport instructions when assessing availability.

Who Can Use Digi Yatra for International Flights?

The November 2026 trial has clearly defined eligibility conditions.

Passengers must be Indian citizens holding valid e-passports and travelling on selected international services operated by the participating airlines.

They must also create an appropriate digital credential through the Digi Yatra mobile application.

International Trial Eligibility Requirements

Requirement	Confirmed condition
Nationality	Indian
Passport	Electronic passport with embedded chip
Participating airlines	Air India and IndiGo
Flight type	Selected international flights
Airport	One of the seven participating airports
Mobile registration	E-passport-based Verifiable Credential required
Smartphone	Compatible device with NFC capability for chip reading
Airport access	Designated trial-enabled checkpoints
Trial period	November–December 2026

The restrictions are important because the existing domestic Digi Yatra programme has a broader passenger base.

The international trial does not automatically extend the facility to every traveller who already uses the application for domestic flights.

Foreign nationals are not included in the initial eligibility criteria.

Indian passport holders using conventional passports without electronic chips are also outside the trial’s stated eligibility.

Likewise, passengers flying on international services operated by airlines other than the two participating carriers are not covered by the national announcement.

The government has not confirmed when these additional categories might become eligible.

A wider rollout is being considered for 2027, but the details will depend on the results of the trial.

How Does Digi Yatra Work for International Passengers?

Digi Yatra is a digital airport processing system that uses facial recognition technology to verify a passenger’s identity at supported checkpoints.

The service links a verified digital identity with travel information so that passengers do not necessarily need to repeatedly present physical identity documents at every participating airport checkpoint.

For international flights, the new trial introduces an e-passport-based identity registration process.

An electronic passport contains an embedded chip holding digitally protected identity information.

The Digi Yatra application uses that information to help establish a verified digital credential.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that eligible passengers must complete registration before using the international facility.

Steps to Create an International Digi Yatra Credential

1. Open the Digi Yatra application on a compatible smartphone.
2. Scan the Machine Readable Zone on the passport’s identity page.
3. Use the phone’s Near Field Communication feature to read the passport’s electronic chip.
4. Capture a selfie for identity verification.
5. Complete the required verification process.
6. Generate an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential.
7. Store the credential in the Digi Yatra wallet on the mobile device.
8. Use the credential at designated airport checkpoints where the international trial is enabled.

The credential is designed to support digital identity verification without requiring passengers to repeat the complete passport registration process at every supported touchpoint.

However, the government has not stated that every stage of an international journey can be completed using facial recognition alone.

The service remains an additional airport processing option rather than a replacement for mandatory aviation and immigration procedures.

What Is an E-Passport and Why Is It Required for the Trial?

An e-passport is a physical passport booklet containing an electronic chip that securely stores information about its holder.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs explains that the chip contains personal particulars and biometric information.

The passport also includes an antenna that allows authorised systems to read the electronically stored information.

Indian e-passports can be identified by a small gold-coloured electronic passport symbol on the front cover.

The technology uses digital security mechanisms to help establish that the information stored within the chip is genuine and has not been altered.

This is important for international airport processing because authorities must reliably establish the identity of a traveller.

E-Passport and Conventional Passport Compared

Feature	Conventional passport	Indian e-passport
Physical passport booklet	Yes	Yes
Printed identity information	Yes	Yes
Machine-readable zone	Yes, on relevant passport formats	Yes
Embedded electronic chip	No	Yes
Electronic identity information	Not stored in a passport chip	Stored in an embedded chip
Eligible for November Digi Yatra international trial	No	Yes, subject to other conditions
Valid for international travel	Yes, subject to validity and entry rules	Yes, subject to validity and entry rules

The Ministry of External Affairs has also clarified that existing valid Indian passports do not automatically become invalid because e-passports are being introduced.

Indian citizens holding conventional passports can continue using them until their validity expires, subject to the normal requirements of the destination country.

There is no general requirement to replace an otherwise valid passport solely because the e-passport programme is expanding.

However, travellers who wish to participate in the international Digi Yatra trial must meet its specific e-passport eligibility condition.

This distinction is particularly relevant for passengers who may otherwise believe that the launch requires all international travellers to obtain a new passport immediately. services1.passportindia.gov.in

How Does NFC Technology Verify an Electronic Passport?

Near Field Communication, commonly called NFC, allows compatible electronic devices to communicate over short distances.

For the Digi Yatra international trial, passengers use the NFC capability of their smartphone to read the electronic chip embedded in their passport.

The procedure begins by scanning the Machine Readable Zone, or MRZ, on the passport’s personal information page.

This is the section containing standardised letters, numbers and symbols that can be interpreted electronically.

The application then uses the phone’s NFC capability to interact with the passport chip and verify relevant information.

A selfie provides another identity comparison step.

Once the verification process is completed successfully, the application creates the digital credential required for the trial.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation describes this credential as a Verifiable Credential, or VC.

The concept allows identity information to be presented in a digitally verifiable form.

The government has not announced that passengers will need to purchase a separate identity-verification device.

The process uses the traveller’s electronic passport and a compatible smartphone.

However, passengers without NFC-enabled devices cannot complete the announced chip-reading process in the specified manner.

Such travellers should use the conventional airport procedures unless an officially supported alternative registration method is made available.

Which Airport Checkpoints Will Support International Digi Yatra?

The international trials are designed to operate at selected checkpoints where the necessary technology has been installed.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation identifies three main areas where eligible passengers may use their digital credentials.

These are terminal entry points, Security Hold Areas and boarding gates.

Each location performs a different function within the airport journey.

Designated Airport Touchpoints

Airport checkpoint	Role in the passenger journey	Trial arrangement
Terminal entrance	Identity and travel verification before entering the terminal	Digi Yatra may be used at enabled entry points
Security Hold Area	Passenger verification associated with movement into the secure departure area	Available where trial infrastructure supports it
Boarding gate	Identity verification before boarding	Available at designated gates
Immigration control	Mandatory international border processing	Existing procedures remain in place
Airline document checks	Verification of passport, visa and travel eligibility	Mandatory checks remain applicable

The restrictions are particularly important at international terminals, where several authorities and service providers may be involved in processing passengers.

Airport entry, airline check-in, aviation security and immigration are not interchangeable functions.

A biometric credential that helps a passenger enter the terminal does not automatically authorise departure from India or entry into another country.

Similarly, the ability to use facial recognition at a boarding gate does not remove the airline’s responsibility to check required travel documents.

The trial therefore concentrates on selected identity verification processes while retaining existing international travel requirements.

Air India and IndiGo Become Initial Airline Partners for International Digi Yatra

Air India and IndiGo are the two airlines specifically named in the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s announcement.

Their participation gives the programme an opportunity to test digital identity verification on selected international passenger services.

Both airlines operate international flights from Indian airports, making them relevant partners for examining how biometric processing functions in a commercial aviation environment.

However, the government has not confirmed that all international flights operated by either airline are included.

Eligibility will depend on the selected service and participating airport facilities.

This distinction matters for travellers booking flights through the airlines’ websites or travel agencies.

A booking with Air India or IndiGo does not, by itself, establish entitlement to use international Digi Yatra.

The passenger must also satisfy the nationality, passport and digital registration conditions.

The government’s announcement does not identify a separate ticket category or special airfare required to participate.

Nor does it establish that passengers using biometric processing will receive priority check-in, faster immigration clearance or a guaranteed reduction in total airport journey time.

The trial is intended to examine practical performance before any wider implementation.

Will Digi Yatra Replace Passport Checks, Visas or Immigration Clearance?

No. International Digi Yatra does not replace passports, visas or immigration procedures.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation explicitly states that the facility will complement existing travel processes.

Passengers must continue carrying their original travel documents and complying with mandatory airline and border-control requirements.

This is one of the most important distinctions in the announcement.

International Travel Requirements That Remain Unchanged

• Passengers must carry their original, valid physical passport.
• Airlines must complete applicable travel document checks.
• Travellers must obtain visas or other entry permissions when required.
• Indian departure immigration procedures remain mandatory.
• Destination-country immigration and entry rules continue to apply.
• Security screening requirements remain in force.
• Travellers must follow the relevant airline’s check-in and boarding conditions.

The Digi Yatra trial does not create a new visa exemption for Indian nationals.

It also does not grant automatic immigration clearance, provide permission to enter a foreign country or change the duration of any permitted overseas stay.

An e-passport and a digital airport credential serve different purposes from a visa or immigration authorisation.

The e-passport provides secure identity information.

The Digi Yatra credential supports selected digital verification processes at participating airport checkpoints.

A visa or other entry permission is governed by the destination country’s immigration rules.

Travellers should therefore continue checking official destination requirements before purchasing international tickets.

Digi Yatra Already Supports More Than 110 Million Domestic Passenger Journeys

The international programme builds on several years of domestic Digi Yatra operations.

India introduced Digi Yatra for domestic air passengers in December 2022, initially launching the facility at Delhi, Bengaluru and Varanasi.

The system subsequently expanded to more airports.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s announcement dated 1 November 2026, Digi Yatra had crossed 26.5 million users and facilitated more than 110 million passenger journeys across 39 domestic airports.

These are cumulative programme figures reported by the government, not the number of people participating in the new international trial.

A single registered user may travel several times, so the number of journeys should not be interpreted as the number of unique passengers.

Official Digi Yatra Adoption Milestones

Reporting period	Government-reported milestone
December 2022	Initial launch at Delhi, Bengaluru and Varanasi
August 2023	Expansion towards 13 participating airports
September 2024	Network reached 24 airports
May 2026	More than 100 million journeys and over 24 million app downloads across 38 airports
November 2026	Over 26.5 million users and 110 million journeys across 39 domestic airports
By 2027	Another 25 domestic airports planned for coverage

The table reflects different reporting dates and measurements. Application downloads, registered users and completed journeys are separate indicators.

The May 2026 figures showed that the government was already using Digi Yatra at significant scale before extending trials to international travel.

The November figures provide the newer official benchmark.

They also show why the international expansion represents a substantial technical change.

Domestic passenger processing does not involve the same passport and immigration requirements as international travel.

The trial must therefore assess additional verification steps while maintaining the legal safeguards associated with overseas journeys. Press Information Bureau+2

Does Digi Yatra Reduce Airport Waiting Times?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has previously reported improvements in airport entry processing following the implementation of Digi Yatra.

In May 2026, the ministry stated that average entry verification time had fallen from approximately 15 seconds to five seconds per passenger at applicable Digi Yatra checkpoints.

That comparison concerns the identity-verification stage of domestic airport entry.

It does not mean that the entire airport journey takes five seconds or that passengers complete check-in, security and immigration ten seconds faster in total.

The reported improvement is relevant because repeated manual checks can contribute to congestion at busy terminals.

Digital identity verification may help process passengers more efficiently where systems operate reliably.

However, the international trial involves additional document requirements.

The government has not yet published independently verified time savings from the November 2026 international programme.

Consequently, the domestic processing figures should not be presented as guaranteed results for international passengers.

The trial will provide authorities with an opportunity to examine how the technology performs under different operating conditions.

These may include varying passenger volumes, different airline procedures and the requirements of international terminals.

How Will Digi Yatra Protect Passenger Identity and Biometric Information?

Passenger data protection is a central consideration when extending biometric technology to international travel.

Digi Yatra uses facial recognition and digital credentials, making the handling of identity information particularly important.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has consistently described the platform as operating through a decentralised, mobile-wallet-based framework.

Under the domestic Digi Yatra model, encrypted personal information is stored on the passenger’s smartphone rather than within a central repository of passenger identity records.

The government has previously stated that data shared with the departure airport is removed from the relevant airport system within 24 hours of flight departure.

In a parliamentary response published on 5 February 2024, the ministry also identified security auditing and certification by agencies empanelled with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, or CERT-In.

The November 2026 international announcement confirms that e-passport-based credentials are stored in the passenger’s Digi Yatra wallet on the device.

What Is Confirmed About Data Handling?

The official statements establish three important principles.

First, the application uses a verified digital identity credential.

Second, the credential is stored in the passenger’s mobile wallet.

Third, the existing domestic programme has been designed around encrypted sharing and decentralised identity management.

However, the international trial announcement does not provide a complete technical explanation of every biometric matching process or data-retention arrangement specific to the new overseas travel use case.

It would therefore be premature to claim that every technical detail of international data handling has been independently established by the published announcement.

Passengers who wish to understand the system should review the current Digi Yatra privacy policy and official government guidance.

Participation in Digi Yatra is voluntary, and India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation confirms that passengers can choose conventional airport processing instead. Press Information Bureau+1

What Will Happen After the November–December 2026 International Trial?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation intends to use feedback from the international trials to plan a broader rollout in 2027.

This is an announced future objective rather than a confirmed nationwide launch date.

The government has not published a final list of additional international airports, participating airlines or eligible passenger nationalities for the next stage.

It has also not announced that every Indian passport holder will become eligible from 1 January 2027.

The difference between the trial and the proposed expansion is significant.

The current programme is restricted to seven airports, two airlines and eligible Indian e-passport holders.

A wider rollout could involve changes to operational coverage, but the exact scope remains unconfirmed.

Confirmed Trial and Future Expansion Timeline

Period	Development	Status
1 November 2026	Ministry announces international trials	Confirmed
November–December 2026	Trials at seven participating airports	Underway
During the trial	Passenger feedback and operational assessment	Planned programme activity
2027	Wider international Digi Yatra rollout	Government planning objective
By 2027	Addition of 25 domestic airports	Announced expansion plan

The current announcement does not identify a precise passenger feedback target or minimum number of successful transactions required before expansion.

It also does not confirm whether the international facility will eventually extend to foreign passport holders.

For travel agencies and airlines, the most important consideration is to avoid promoting anticipated 2027 benefits as though they are already universally available.

India’s Digital Aviation Programme Moves Towards International Passenger Processing

Digi Yatra is one element of India’s wider effort to use digital technology at airports.

The programme was originally developed to reduce repeated manual checks and improve the flow of passengers through participating terminals.

Its expansion has taken place alongside increasing adoption of self-service technologies across the aviation sector.

International passenger processing adds another level of complexity because identity verification must operate alongside airline document checks, national security requirements and border-control procedures.

The use of e-passport-based Verifiable Credentials offers a way to connect a digitally authenticated identity with airport systems.

However, adopting new technology does not remove the need for clear procedures when passengers cannot complete biometric registration or when a particular airport checkpoint does not support the service.

This makes conventional processing an important part of the current arrangements.

The international trial is therefore not simply a technology demonstration.

It is also an opportunity to assess whether the system can be used conveniently within the practical demands of international air travel.

For airport operators, successful implementation will depend on reliable equipment, clear passenger instructions and coordination between the organisations responsible for different stages of departure processing.

Why This Matters

India’s expansion of Digi Yatra into international passenger processing is important because it introduces an additional digital identity option for travellers who previously relied on conventional verification procedures for overseas departures.

For eligible passengers, the main potential benefit is fewer repeated identity checks at supported airport touchpoints.

For airlines, biometric verification may provide another way to manage passenger movement through busy terminals.

For airport operators, the trial offers practical information about the integration of digital credentials with existing infrastructure.

The development is also relevant to Indian travellers who already use Digi Yatra for domestic flights and may wish to use a similar experience when flying internationally.

However, its initial reach is limited.

Only selected flights operated by Air India and IndiGo are covered, and passengers must hold Indian e-passports.

Foreign nationals, conventional passport holders and travellers using other airlines remain outside the announced trial.

The long-term significance will depend on whether the system can be expanded while remaining secure, accessible and straightforward to use.

The government has not released a forecast of passenger time savings, financial benefits or international adoption rates for the November–December programme.

Those outcomes will need to be assessed after operational data becomes available.

What Travellers Should Know

International passengers departing from India during November and December 2026 should not assume that Digi Yatra is available simply because their airport already supports the domestic system.

The international trial has separate eligibility requirements and operates only at designated checkpoints.

Before Booking or Travelling

• Confirm nationality: The initial trial covers eligible Indian citizens.
• Check passport type: A valid e-passport with an embedded electronic chip is required.
• Verify the airline: Only selected Air India and IndiGo international services are participating.
• Confirm airport coverage: The programme includes Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Amritsar.
• Prepare the application: Create the required e-passport-based credential before travelling.
• Check smartphone compatibility: NFC capability is needed for the announced chip-reading process.
• Carry the physical passport: Digital verification does not replace the original document.
• Review immigration rules: Visa, passport and destination entry requirements remain unchanged.
• Follow airport guidance: Digi Yatra availability depends on the infrastructure at individual checkpoints.

Passengers who cannot use the service may continue following the conventional airport processing arrangements.

The government has not announced a mandatory requirement for all international travellers to register with Digi Yatra.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did international Digi Yatra trials begin in India?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced the commencement of international Digi Yatra trials on 1 November 2026. The programme is scheduled to operate during November and December 2026.

Which airports are included in the international Digi Yatra trial?

Seven airports are participating: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Amritsar. Availability is restricted to designated checkpoints and selected eligible flights.

Can Indian passport holders without e-passports use international Digi Yatra?

No. The initial international trial requires an Indian e-passport with an embedded electronic chip. Travellers holding valid conventional passports can continue using standard airport procedures.

Can Digi Yatra replace immigration checks or visas?

No. Digi Yatra supports selected airport identity verification processes. Passengers must still carry their passports, meet airline document requirements and complete all mandatory immigration procedures.

Will international Digi Yatra expand to more airports in 2027?

The government plans a wider rollout in 2027, based on feedback and operational experience from the November–December trials. The final list of airports, airlines and eligible passengers has not been announced.

Digi Yatra International Trial Marks a New Stage in India’s Airport Digitalisation

The introduction of international Digi Yatra trials at seven Indian airports marks an important development in the country’s aviation technology programme.

The initiative brings e-passport-based digital identity verification to selected international passenger journeys, building on a domestic network that has already recorded more than 110 million uses.

For the initial trial, participation remains limited to eligible Indian e-passport holders travelling on selected Air India and IndiGo flights.

The system is intended to reduce repeated identity checks at participating airport checkpoints while leaving existing passport, visa, airline verification and immigration requirements unchanged.

The government’s next objective is to evaluate passenger feedback and operational performance before planning wider international deployment in 2027.

For now, the practical message for travellers is straightforward: Digi Yatra is an optional airport processing facility, not a replacement for travel documentation or border controls.

Its expansion into international aviation offers a new method of verifying passenger identity, but the extent of its future benefits will depend on the results of the trial and subsequent official implementation decisions.