No. Digi Yatra is not mandatory for domestic flights in India. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has told Parliament that using it is purely voluntary, and you can always take the regular entry gate instead. If you skip it, carry a valid government photo ID and your ticket or boarding pass, and check in as usual with your airline.
Updated November 2026 · HappyFares
Digi Yatra gets talked about as if it were a new requirement, which leads to a lot of last-minute worry. This post covers domestic flights only; some reports say it has been made compulsory for certain international transit passengers at a few airports, so check that separately if you are connecting abroad. Here is what is actually required, what is optional, and what to carry on the day.
Is Digi Yatra compulsory for domestic travel?
It is not. In replies to Parliament, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has stated that Digi Yatra is voluntary and that a passenger can use it only if they wish to. In January 2024, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also said that passengers are registered only after they give consent, and that airport operators were advised to make sure the staff at the Digi Yatra gates follow the consent process.
Government replies have also acknowledged media reports of passengers being enrolled without clear consent, and said airports have been sensitised on this. So if someone at an airport asks you to sign up, you can say no and carry on through the normal lane.
What do you carry if you do not use Digi Yatra?
You travel the way you always have. That means:
- A valid government-issued photo ID for adult passengers. Airlines publish the list of IDs they accept, so check your airline’s page before you go.
- Your e-ticket or boarding pass, either on your phone or printed.
- Any extra documents the airline asks for, for example for children travelling with you.
Your ID is checked at the terminal entry and again at the boarding gate. Digi Yatra only changes how that check happens at airports where it is installed. It does not change whether you need an ID. Keep your ID handy even if you do register, because if face recognition fails you can expect to be sent to manual verification, where you will need your boarding pass and ID proof.
How does Digi Yatra work when you do use it?
According to the Digi Yatra Foundation, you register once using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and complete Aadhaar-based verification, which sets up your Digi Yatra ID. At the airport e-gate, you first scan your boarding pass. A camera then captures your live face and matches it with the face shared during registration. If it matches, the gate opens.
The system has been described as Aadhaar-based, with passport-based identity reported to be in the works, so check the Digi Yatra app for what is supported today. Because registration depends on an Aadhaar-based profile and not every traveller has or wants one, it works as an optional convenience.
This post is about whether it is required. If you want the step-by-step registration process, we cover that separately.
Which airports offer Digi Yatra?
Official replies in Parliament put Digi Yatra at 24 airports, a figure given in December 2024 and repeated in December 2025, with a stated plan to extend it to all airports in phases. The list keeps growing, and a gate may be live at one terminal but not another, so the safest check is the airport’s own website or the Digi Yatra app before you travel.
If your departure airport does not have it, nothing is lost. Everyone uses the regular process there.
Is it worth using?
It is a convenience, not a necessity. It can shorten the walk through the entry gate, and the lanes are often shorter at busy times. It makes the most sense if you fly often from airports that have it and are comfortable with face-based verification. It makes less sense if you fly once or twice a year, or if you prefer not to share biometric data.
One thing worth knowing: Digi Yatra does not replace check-in. You still need a booking, you still check in with your airline, and baggage drop works the way it always has. Registering for Digi Yatra will not make your flight cheaper or let you skip any airline step.
Common Questions
Can an airline or airport force me to use Digi Yatra?
No. Government statements describe it as voluntary and consent-based. If you are asked to enrol, you are free to decline and use the regular entry gate.
Do I still need a photo ID if I am registered?
Keep one with you. Digi Yatra is a way to be verified at the gate, but if the face match does not work, expect to be sent to manual verification, where you will need your boarding pass and ID proof.
Can I use Digi Yatra if I do not have Aadhaar?
Registration has been Aadhaar-based, and passport support has been reported as planned, so check the Digi Yatra app for current options. If you do not have Aadhaar, use the normal entry gate with your ID.
Is Digi Yatra available at every Indian airport?
No. Official parliamentary replies mention 24 airports so far, with a phased rollout planned. Check your departure airport’s website to confirm.
Does Digi Yatra change my check-in or baggage rules?
No. You still check in with your airline and follow its baggage rules. Digi Yatra only affects identity checks at the entry point and the boarding gate where it is installed.
What if I forget my ID and rely on Digi Yatra?
That is risky. If the system cannot match your face or the gate is down, you will need to show an ID. Travelling without one can mean being refused entry to the terminal.
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Rules, airport lists and procedures change. Verify current specifics with your airline, the Digi Yatra Foundation or the airport before you travel.
