Digi Yatra is a digital initiative transforming air travel in India by replacing paper-based processes with facial recognition technology. Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, it aims to provide a seamless and paperless travel experience for passengers at airports.

Key Objectives

• Digi Yatra eliminates the need for physical documents at checkpoints like entry gates, security checks, and boarding gates, speeding up passenger flow and reducing waiting times.
• Facial recognition technology helps prevent passenger fraud and ensures the right person is boarding the right flight.
• Streamlined processes improve airport operations, allowing airlines to better track passengers and manage resources.

How it Works

• Passengers download the Digi Yatra app and register with personal details and an Aadhaar-linked selfie.
• Once a flight ticket is uploaded, a "Digi Yatra travel ID" is generated, linking the passenger to their travel details.
• Passengers scan their boarding pass and face a camera at e-gates. Successful verification opens the gate and updates the passenger data-set, combining facial scans with PNR information.
• At subsequent checkpoints, passengers only need to undergo facial scans without showing physical documents.

Current Status and Expansion

• Launched in December 2022, Digi Yatra is now operational at 13 Indian airports, including Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai.
• Expansion to 24 more airports is planned for 2024, indicating the government's commitment to this initiative.

Ownership and Funding

• Digi Yatra is not government-owned, but operated by the Digi Yatra Foundation, a consortium including the Airports Authority of India and five private airports.
• Funding comes solely from participating airports, showcasing their belief in the system's benefits.

3. Controversial Digi Yatra Enrolment Practices Draw Passenger Ire

• In a recent surge of complaints from air travelers across various airports, concerns have been raised about the allegedly "coercive and deceptive" tactics employed by both private staff and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel during the enrollment process for Digi Yatra.
• Passengers have reported instances where CISF personnel stationed at entry gates of passenger buildings purportedly requested them to scan their boarding passes and capture their photos.
• Shockingly, consent for Digi Yatra registration was then allegedly provided on behalf of the passengers without seeking explicit permission or even informing them.
• The intensified enrollment activities in December were part of the "day of travel" drive at airports. This initiative specifically targets individuals who have not pre-registered on the Digi Yatra app.
• Khadakbhavi clarified that the objective is to enable passengers to familiarize themselves with the Digi Yatra process, emphasizing the seamless and hassle-free benefits of the system.
• The ultimate goal is to encourage passengers to opt for permanent enrollment on the Digi Yatra app.

4. Challenges in Digi Yatra Implementation

• The government asserts that passenger data in the Digi Yatra system is securely encrypted and stored within a protected wallet on the individual's mobile device. However, concerns have been raised regarding the level of security in mobile storage and the potential vulnerabilities associated with it.
• While the government emphasizes the absence of central storage, passenger data is shared with the departure airport on the day of travel. Questions arise about the necessity and security implications of sharing this information, even if it is claimed to be purged within 24 hours.
• The Digi Yatra policy commits to adhering to data protection laws mandated by the Government of India. However, the landscape is in flux, with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, passed in August 2023. The absence of framed rules for the act raises uncertainties about the legal framework governing Digi Yatra's data practices.
• Criticism surrounds the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, for granting the government extensive powers to exempt its agencies from its provisions. Similar exemptions are mirrored in the Digi Yatra policy, allowing any security agency, Bureau of Immigration, or government entity access to passenger data based on existing protocols, even before the enactment of comprehensive data protection regulations.
• The Digi Yatra policy introduces ambiguity by stating that access to passenger data will be granted based on "current/existing protocols prevalent at that time." The absence of clearly defined and transparent access protocols raises concerns about the potential misuse or inadequate safeguards for passenger information.
• The Biometric Boarding System's ability to change data purge settings based on security requirements on a need basis introduces flexibility but raises questions about the criteria and oversight governing such adjustments. The lack of specificity may fuel apprehensions about the extent to which passenger data may be retained and for what purposes.

5. The Wayforward

Digi Yatra's vision for a streamlined travel experience holds promise, the current implementation practices and data privacy concerns necessitate immediate attention. Open and transparent communication, robust data security measures, and a well-defined legal framework with strong safeguards are crucial to building trust and ensuring passenger agency in this data-driven future of air travel.