Beginning November 1, 2026, India’s Digi Yatra International Passenger Trial (DY-IPT) has extended Digi Yatra’s facial-authentication-based passenger processing system, which allows eligible Indian citizens holding valid chip-enabled ePassports to create a digital identity credential and use facial authentication.

The facility has been enabled at selected international departures from participating Indian airports.

The trial will be available for two months – from November 1 to December 31 this year – to Indian citizens holding valid chip-enabled ePassports, subject to the applicable airport, airline, flight-route and consent requirements.

It is currently available on selected international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo from seven Indian airports to specific international destinations, where the required infrastructure is operational.

Passengers who are Indian citizens, including NRIs, can create an ePassport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) through the Digi Yatra mobile application. They can add an eligible international boarding pass and use facial authentication.

NRIs can participate if they remain Indian citizens and hold a valid chip-enabled Indian ePassport. But OCI cardholders, who are foreign citizens and generally travel on foreign passports, are not eligible under this criteria.

Participation in DY-IPT is voluntary. Passengers who do not wish to use the facility can follow the regular airport, airline, security and immigration procedures. – editor@nrifocus.com