Digi Yatra for International Departures: Government Plans Trials Across 5 Major Airports
The government plans to expand the facial recognition-based Digi Yatra system to international departures, with trials scheduled across five major Indian airports between October and December 2026 using e-passports. 'International travel is a sensitive border-crossing process and every stakeholder needs to be satisfied that the new process is robust, safe and secure,' said Digi Yatra CEO Suresh Khadakbhavi.
The central government is preparing to extend the facial recognition-based Digi Yatra system to international departures, with phased trials planned across five major Indian airports between October and December 2026, according to senior officials. The initial rollout will target Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Cochin airports, with Delhi and Mumbai expected to serve as the launch sites.
Phased Implementation and Initial Touchpoints
Under the first phase of the international rollout, the biometric system will streamline less-sensitive airport processes. Passengers will be able to utilise Digi Yatra for terminal entry and security checks, reports Hindustan Times. Local Pass Available on RajmargYatra App: How To Get Digital Toll Pass Without Visiting Plaza.
Integration with official immigration counters will be deferred to a subsequent phase as the system undergoes testing and its operational efficacy is established. Consequently, inbound international flights and standard emigration checks will remain unchanged during the initial trial period.
Transition to Electronic Passports and New Technology
Unlike the domestic iteration of Digi Yatra - which relies on Aadhaar-based e-KYC enrollment - the international system will utilise secure electronic passports (e-passports) that conform to global biometric standards. Passengers holding an e-passport will scan the document's primary page and use a mobile phone to read the embedded chip via near-field communication (NFC). The system will then match the chip-stored photograph with a live selfie to generate a digital travel credential.
Officials noted that implementing the system will require the installation of specialized e-gates at international checkpoints and the amendment of existing civil aviation and home affairs regulations, including rules mandating physical passport presentations at airport entries.
Security Audits and Future Interoperability
Before trials commence, the upgraded application will undergo comprehensive security evaluations, including vulnerability assessments and penetration testing by CERT-In and the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC), followed by a mandatory audit from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). "International travel is a sensitive border-crossing process and every stakeholder needs to be satisfied that the new process is robust, safe and secure," said Digi Yatra Chief Executive Officer Suresh Khadakbhavi.
Khadakbhavi added that long-term strategic objectives include making the Digi Yatra ecosystem interoperable with overseas airports and global bodies such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ICAO, alongside ongoing discussions regarding cross-border pilot cohorts. The initiative aligns with broader administrative efforts to digitize Indian air travel, following recent measures such as the acceptance of electronic boarding passes at immigration counters and the ongoing deployment of the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP).
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2026 03:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
