Airport travel in India is gradually becoming more digital. After introducing facial recognition-based passenger verification for domestic flights, Digi Yatra is now expanding its technology to international travel through a new e-passport-based facility.

The initiative is being tested at seven major Indian airports from November 2026. Eligible international passengers will be able to use their electronic passports and the Digi Yatra app to create a digital travel credential, making certain airport processes faster and more convenient.

The development is part of India's wider push towards contactless travel and digital public infrastructure.

What Is the New Digi Yatra e-Passport Facility?

The new facility allows eligible passengers with electronic passports to create a digitally verifiable travel credential through the Digi Yatra mobile application.

An e-passport contains an electronic chip that stores passport information securely. Using the NFC feature of a compatible smartphone, passengers can scan this chip and complete a selfie-based identity verification process.

After verification, a digital credential can be stored in the app and presented at participating airport checkpoints.

The objective is to reduce repeated manual document checks at selected airport touchpoints.

At Which Airports Will the Trial Take Place?

The international passenger trial is scheduled to run from November through December 2026 at seven airports:

1. Delhi

2. Bengaluru

3. Hyderabad

4. Cochin

5. Mumbai

6. Chennai

7. Amritsar

The facility is intended for eligible Indian nationals travelling internationally with e-passports on participating Air India and IndiGo routes.

The availability of the digital credential at individual checkpoints will depend on airport infrastructure and operational arrangements.

How Can Passengers Create a Digital Travel Credential?

The process involves a few technology-based steps:

1. Download or open the official Digi Yatra application.

2. Scan the information page of your eligible e-passport.

3. Use your smartphone's NFC feature to read the passport's electronic chip.

4. Complete the required selfie-based identity verification.

5. Create and store the verifiable digital credential in the application.

6. Present the credential at participating airport touchpoints.

The system uses digital verification to help establish passenger identity without repeatedly presenting physical documents at every participating checkpoint.

Will Digi Yatra Replace Your Physical Passport?

No. The new facility does not replace the physical passport or other mandatory travel documents.

Passengers must still carry their valid passport and complete airline verification, immigration procedures and other required formalities.

The digital credential is intended to make selected airport processes more convenient. It should not be treated as permission to travel without the required documents.

How Will the Technology Protect Passenger Information?

Digital identity systems require careful handling of personal information. Digi Yatra's e-passport facility uses a verifiable credential approach to support identity checks at participating locations.

Passengers should understand the consent options presented in the application before creating or sharing a credential. They should also use only the official application and avoid sharing passport details or verification information with unknown websites or individuals.

Privacy, security and interoperability are among the important considerations being examined during the trial.

What Happens After the Trial?

The November–December 2026 trial will help authorities understand how the system performs during actual international passenger journeys.

Passenger feedback and operational experience may be used to assess the possibility of expanding the facility in 2027.

The initiative also reflects a broader international move towards digital travel credentials, including efforts to improve interoperability between airports, airlines and border-management systems.

What Does This Mean for Indian Travellers?

Digi Yatra's expansion into international travel could make selected airport processes quicker and more convenient for eligible passengers.

However, the facility is currently a limited trial rather than a nationwide replacement for traditional airport procedures.

For travellers, the key takeaway is that digital identity verification is gradually becoming an important part of India's aviation infrastructure. If the trial proves effective, more international passengers could eventually benefit from contactless and digitally assisted airport journeys.