Can Digi Yatra Insist on Aadhaar As Proof of Identity? Kerala High Court Answers
The Kerala High Court has observed that Aadhaar should not be mandatory for Digi Yatra registration if passengers can provide other valid ID proofs. The court questioned the necessity of this data collection for air travel and has adjourned the matter to allow the Digi Yatra Foundation to clarify whether alternative identity verification methods will be permitted.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday, July 15, observed that Aadhaar details should not necessarily be mandatory for registration on the Digi Yatra platform, provided a passenger can establish their identity through other valid government-issued documents. The observations were made by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding potential data privacy risks associated with the platform.
The PIL, filed by C.R. Neelakandan, alleges systemic issues regarding the collection, storage, and processing of sensitive passenger data at airports across India. How To Check if Your Mobile Number Is Linked to Your Aadhaar: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Government Stance on Voluntary Participation
During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General of India (ASGI), representing the Airports Authority of India (AAI), maintained that Digi Yatra is a voluntary facility and that passengers are under no compulsion to utilise it. The ASGI further assured the court that biometric and identity-related data are held exclusively within the Digi Yatra ecosystem and are deleted once the passenger's journey is complete. The government counsel emphasised that identity verification is necessary to ensure the security of those registering on the platform.
Court Seeks Clarity on Necessity
The Bench remained critical of the requirement, questioning why Aadhaar is prioritised when other forms of identification are accepted for standard air travel. "But if I go and buy a ticket from the counter, I don't need Aadhaar... That cannot be a reason. If I am not required to disclose my Aadhaar for buying an ordinary ticket or buying an air ticket, just because it is only a technology... the same kind of identity is required to disclose... Why Aadhaar card is compulsory?" the court asked. In response, the ASGI requested additional time to seek further instructions, noting that the Digi Yatra Foundation is also a party to the ongoing proceedings. Aadhaar Card: UIDAI Rolls Out Free Email Update via App, No Need To Visit Centre.
Interim Directions and Next Steps
The court subsequently adjourned the matter, allowing the Digi Yatra Foundation time to inform the Bench whether alternative identity proofs could suffice for portal access. "We are prima facie of the view that Aadhaar details may not be made mandatory while registering in Digi Yatra, if the petitioner has any other identity proof to establish his identity," the court ordered. The underlying petition seeks interim directions to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, the AAI, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The petitioner has urged the court to ensure strict compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025. Furthermore, the plea requests a restraint on airport operators from sharing or commercially exploiting passenger data without explicit authorisation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2026 10:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
