Accepted IDs for domestic flights
| Document | Notes | Accepted? |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar card (physical) | Issued by UIDAI | ✓ Yes |
| e-Aadhaar (PDF) | From uidai.gov.in with QR | ✓ Yes |
| m-Aadhaar (mobile app) | Official UIDAI mAadhaar app | ✓ Yes |
| Driving Licence | Valid; learner's NOT accepted | ✓ Yes |
| Voter ID (EPIC) | Election Commission | ✓ Yes |
| PAN card | Income Tax Dept | ✓ Yes |
| Indian passport | Valid | ✓ Yes |
| Government/PSU employee ID | With photo + designation | ✓ Yes |
| Defence ID | Armed Forces / paramilitary | ✓ Yes |
| Student photo ID | Issued/stamped by the institution — on the BCAS list; school IDs routinely accepted for minors (private-college IDs face occasional CISF discretion — carry a backup) | ✓ Yes |
| Bank passbook (nationalized bank) | With attested photograph | ✓ Yes |
| Pension card / disability photo ID | With photograph | ✓ Yes |
| Private-sector employer photo ID | Recognised employer | ✓ Yes |
NOT accepted as primary ID
- ✗ Aadhaar e-mail copy / WhatsApp forward (need official PDF with QR)
- ✗ Expired Driving Licence or passport
- ✗ Photocopy of Aadhaar / DL (originals or app-based only)
- ✗ Library card, club membership, gym ID
- ✗ Debit / credit card (a nationalized-bank PASSBOOK with attested photo IS accepted)
m-Aadhaar — most convenient
Since late 2017 (BCAS circular of 26 October 2017), BCAS officially accepts m-Aadhaar (UIDAI mobile app). Setup: download from Play Store / App Store, register with Aadhaar number + OTP, set 4-digit PIN. At airport, open app and show Aadhaar profile screen — CISF scans QR.
e-Aadhaar PDF
Download from uidai.gov.in. PDF password is the first 4 letters of your name in CAPS + your YYYY of birth. Show digital or printed at airport — QR code is what security scans.
Special cases
Children and infants
The BCAS rule: infants and minors accompanied by a parent/guardian holding valid ID need no identity proof of their own. The documents below are recommended, and airlines ask for a birth certificate as AGE proof for the infant fare (under 2):
- Under 5: Birth certificate recommended (age proof). Aadhaar has no minimum age — the blue "Baal Aadhaar" for under-5s has been issued since 2018.
- 5-12 years: Aadhaar, school ID with photo, or birth certificate — recommended, and required if travelling unaccompanied.
- Above 12: Carry own ID like adults.
NRI / OCI / foreign nationals
- NRI with Indian passport: Use Indian passport.
- NRI on foreign passport: The foreign passport itself is the accepted photo ID (airlines require ~6-month validity); carry the OCI card for status. OCI alone is NOT sufficient.
- Foreign tourist on visa: Foreign passport + valid Indian visa.
Name mismatch between ticket and ID
Acceptable variations: middle-name shortened to initial, prefix differences (Mr/Mrs/Dr), 1-2 character spelling variations. NOT acceptable: different first or last name. See name mismatch guide for fix process per airline.
Frequently asked questions
What ID is required for domestic flight in India?
Indian nationals need any ONE photo ID from the BCAS accepted list: Aadhaar (physical, e-Aadhaar PDF, or m-Aadhaar app), Driving Licence, Voter ID, PAN card, passport, government/PSU/private-employer photo ID, student photo ID issued by the institution, pension or disability photo document, or a nationalized-bank passbook with attested photo. Children accompanied by a parent with valid ID need no ID of their own.
Is m-Aadhaar / e-Aadhaar valid for domestic flight in India?
Yes. Both m-Aadhaar (the official mAadhaar mobile app) and e-Aadhaar (PDF from uidai.gov.in with valid QR code) are fully accepted at Indian airports (BCAS circular, October 2017). CISF verifies the QR code.
Can I fly domestic without Aadhaar card in India?
Yes. Aadhaar is one of several accepted IDs. Alternatives: Driving Licence, Voter ID, PAN, passport, government/PSU/private-employer photo ID, institution-issued student photo ID, or a nationalized-bank passbook with attested photo.
What is the minimum age for travelling alone on domestic flight India?
Standard policy: passengers aged 5+ may travel alone. IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa, AIX offer Unaccompanied Minor service for children 5-12 years (typically ₹3,000-5,000 per sector — IndiGo ~₹3,000-4,500, Akasa ₹5,000; check the airline's current fee).
Is a college student ID valid for flight India?
Usually yes — student photo ID cards issued/stamped by the institution are on the BCAS accepted-ID list, and school IDs are routinely accepted for minors. CISF discretion can vary for private-college cards, so carrying a government ID as backup is smart, but a genuine institutional student ID is a valid document.
Can I use expired driving licence for domestic flight India?
No. Expired ID is not accepted at airport security. Use your passport if valid, or renew DL.
Do I need ID for child / infant on domestic flight India?
Not if they are travelling WITH a parent/guardian who holds valid ID — BCAS requires no identity proof for accompanied infants and minors. Airlines DO ask for a birth certificate at check-in as AGE proof for infant fares (under 2). Unaccompanied minors need their own ID (Aadhaar, school ID with photo, or birth certificate).
What ID do NRIs need for domestic India flight?
NRI with Indian passport: use the Indian passport. NRI on a foreign passport: the foreign passport itself is the accepted photo ID (carry your OCI card for status; airlines typically want ~6 months passport validity). PIO cards are NO LONGER accepted (invalid since March 2026) — PIO holders need an OCI card or a valid Indian visa.
Sources
- BCAS circular on acceptable identity documents (26 October 2017) — the 10-document list incl. m-Aadhaar
- UIDAI guidelines on m-Aadhaar and e-Aadhaar
- Ministry of Civil Aviation passenger guidelines (2024)
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