International air travellers from India could soon get access to a facial recognition-based Digi Yatra system at major airports. The government is planning trials for international departures between October and December 2026, with Delhi and Mumbai expected to be among the first airports to receive the facility. Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochin airports are also part of the proposed trial.
Digi Yatra international trial to begin with departures
The first phase of the Digi Yatra international rollout is expected to focus only on passengers departing from India. The system could initially be used at relatively less-sensitive checkpoints such as terminal entry, security checks, and potentially boarding gates.
Immigration and emigration checks are expected to continue under the existing system during the trial. Integration with immigration could be considered at a later stage after the technology has been tested for reliability and security.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation’s policy framework treats the immigration process separately from the Digi Yatra boarding system, with automated border control for international travel envisaged as a later phase.
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How Digi Yatra international travel will work
Unlike domestic Digi Yatra, which uses Aadhaar-based enrolment, the international system is expected to rely on electronic passports.
Passengers will be able to scan the information page of their e-passport using a smartphone and read its embedded chip through Near Field Communication, or NFC. The photograph stored on the passport chip can then be matched with a live selfie to create a digital travel credential.
That credential could subsequently be used to verify the passenger’s identity at participating airport checkpoints, reducing the need for repeated manual document checks.
India had issued 17,316,144 e-passports as of July 30, 2026, according to figures cited from a government reply in Parliament.
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Software upgrades and security checks still pending
The planned Digi Yatra international rollout is still undergoing technical preparations. Officials told Hindustan Times that they are carrying out software upgrades before the trials, and an audit by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is also expected.
The upgraded application is reportedly undergoing final testing, including vulnerability assessment and penetration testing involving CERT-In and the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification Directorate.
Some aviation rules may also need amending before the system becomes operational. These include the existing requirement for passengers to show their passports at airport entry.
For now, the proposed system is therefore a trial rather than a full replacement for existing international travel procedures. The government is expected to assess security, reliability, and passenger processing before deciding on wider implementation.
FAQs
When will Digi Yatra international trials begin?
The proposed trials are expected to take place between October and December 2026.
Which airports are expected to test Digi Yatra for international departures?
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Cochin airports are expected to participate, with Delhi and Mumbai likely to be among the first.
Will immigration checks be removed under international Digi Yatra?
No. Immigration and emigration checks are expected to continue under the existing system during the initial trial phase.
Will international Digi Yatra use Aadhaar?
No. The proposed international system is expected to use e-passports, with biometric verification based on the passport chip and a live facial image.