How to use Digi Yatra and face recognition when you're at the airport next

Frequent flyers in India, there's some news you should check out. Passing through airport security can be a great annoyance. But there's one little improvement to ease your troubles. Now, you will not need to stand in a queue with your ID card and a copy of your ticket (soft or hard copy) to present to a security guard to enter the airport. 

The much-touted paperless technology, Digi Yatra, is now functional at three airports in India. Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the facial recognition technology at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on December 1. 

With Digi Yatra in your pockets, you will only need to scan a code on your phone to enter the airport. No more of the security guard going from your ID card to your face 10 times to check you are you.

Here's all you need to know about Digi Yatra: 

What is Digi Yatra? Digi Yatra is a government app you can install and input your personal details, which can be used to enter the airport by just scanning a QR code. 

• In other words, with Digi Yatra app you can make your face the boarding ticket, at least at the entry gate.

Where can you use it? Currently, the technology has been rolled out at three airports - Delhi's IGI airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Varanasi airport. 

• Currently, Digi Yatra can be used only for domestic flights. 
• Soon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Vijayawada airports will also be enabled with Digi Yatra before it is rolled out throughout the country.

How to use it? 

• Download Digi Yatra app on your Android or iOS phone. 
• Enter the details required, such as your name, email address, mobile number, photo, Aadhaar, driving license, etc. 
• Your Digi Yatra ID will be created after you enter all the information. 
• You will need to share your Digi Yatra ID while booking flight tickets, and airlines will share your passenger data and ID with the departure airport. 
• Note: If you opt for Aadhaar-based verification, your identity will be automatically verified online. If you choose another identification method, your identity will be verified manually by security personnel at the airport. 

At the airport: You will find the e-gate entry at domestic departures.

• Head to the entry and scan the code on your boarding pass in the Digi Yatra app.

That's it. Your identity will be verified and you will be allowed entry into the airport. You will have to go through the normal procedures for security and boarding.

How are netizens reacting to Digi Yatra? Well, it seems like Digi Yatra took off with some glitches and unavailability at the designated airports. While some claimed that the e-gates were not operational, others faced problems verifying their identity after installing the app. 

Privacy concerns: NITI Aayog had raised privacy concerns regarding the Digi Yatra app early in November. 

• NITI Aayog wanted to know where all the passenger data is being stored and if it's safe.
• It also asked the government questions regarding how this data will be shared with third party. 
• According to Digi Yatra's privacy policy, passenger data at the airport will only be stored for 24 hours after the departure of the flight. 
• NITI Aayog also raised concerns regarding passengers' facial biometrics stored in other registries.