India’s Digi Yatra Now Accepts Driving Licences for Faster Airport Entry

A New Milestone for Seamless Travel in India

In 2026, navigating Indian airports has become even more efficient as the Digi Yatra Foundation announced a significant update to its digital identity ecosystem. Passengers can now use their Driving Licence as a verified credential for airport entry and boarding processes. This move provides millions of travelers with greater flexibility, allowing them to establish their identity through the Digi Yatra app without exclusively relying on Aadhaar cards.

By integrating the Driving Licence into the platform's digital wallet, the initiative taps into a massive user base of over 236 million licence holders across the country. This integration is facilitated through the DigiLocker service, ensuring that the process remains secure and user-centric. Travelers can now choose their preferred identity document, making the biometric boarding experience more inclusive for a wider demographic of domestic flyers.

Enhanced Security and Privacy by Design

One of the core strengths of the updated Digi Yatra system is its commitment to data privacy. Utilizing a Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) architecture, the platform ensures that personal information is not stored in any central government repository. Instead, the data is encrypted and saved directly on the user's personal device. Sharing only occurs at the point of travel with the explicit consent of the passenger, aligning with the highest international standards for digital privacy.

The leadership of the Digi Yatra Foundation has emphasized that the goal is to keep users in complete control of their information while providing a seamless transition from the airport entrance to the boarding gate. This privacy-by-design approach has been a cornerstone of the platform’s success since its inception, fostering trust among the millions of frequent flyers who use it daily.

Expansion and the Future of International Flights

The platform’s growth since late 2025 has been remarkable, with several key milestones achieved this year:

• Current operations across 39 major airports in India.
• Over 25.5 million app downloads and 105 million successful passenger journeys recorded.
• Support for 11 regional languages, with plans to include all 22 scheduled Indian languages by 2027.
• Forthcoming expansion to 26 additional domestic airports to cover more regions.

Looking ahead, Digi Yatra is preparing to move beyond domestic borders. Following successful trials aligned with IATA standards, the platform is set to begin live international trials. This will eventually include the introduction of passport-based verifiable credentials, enabling Indian travelers to enjoy the same paperless and contactless experience on global routes. As the ecosystem evolves, it continues to set a benchmark for how digital identity can simplify the complexities of modern air travel while maintaining the highest levels of security.