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. 

Union Minister @JM_Scindia launches Digi Yatra for Three Airports in The Country

Digi Yatra to achieve contactless, seamless processing of passengers at Airports Based on Facial Recognition Technology

Read here: https://t.co/Eet4VFR3vd pic.twitter.com/NgMonFewXP

— PIB India (@PIB_India) December 1, 2022

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.

Your journey through #BLRAirport just got easier! We’ve launched the beta version of Digi Yatra, an initiative by GoI & MoCA. If you’re flying with Vistara or AirAsia, you can register & use your biometrics to complete all checks at the Airport. Link - https://t.co/d6ad8JMnYl pic.twitter.com/gad8ZgsiT3

— BLR Airport (@BLRAirport) November 23, 2022

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. 

8 minutes. That is all it took from getting off the car to clearing security at Delhi T3 airport despite above normal queues. Thanks to #Digiyatra. Fast, seamless and no ID cards needed.

— Kanishka Agiwal (@kanishkaagiwal) November 30, 2022

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.

Today with the inauguration of the #DigiYatra facility, passengers will be able to experience seamless, contact-less and paperless access from airport entry to boarding the aircraft. pic.twitter.com/4cBo2i4IG9

— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) December 1, 2022

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. 

#DigiYatra disappointment at @DelhiAirport - morning peak passenger traffic chaos, and the new queue-busting gates will apparently only start working at 10.30 am. Meanwhile "smart" people hold up boarding cards saying "flight time ho gaya" and skip to the front. #travel #travail

— Devangshu Dutta (@devangshu) December 2, 2022

Hey @BLRAirport registered yesterday for #DigiYatra for flt today. Was so excited about the new tech. Security staff informed me that the system is not switched on. What poor user experience.

— Live Your Passion (@rajeshmisra88) December 2, 2022

The much advertised #DigiYatra is a farce. This pic is from Delhi airport. Not activated! The one at security was activated but the security officer didn’t allow me to use!!! I am still at a 40 mins long queue at security. @DCPIGI @AAI_Official pic.twitter.com/EPZxabChsC

— Rajib Acharya (@rajibacharya) December 1, 2022

#DigiYatra not ready yet @DelhiAirport? The scene today morning at 4am at Gate 2 at T3 i.e. on launch day. Or does it only work during business hours? Loved all the pre-launch hype on social media though🙂 pic.twitter.com/ecRfmwLC7b

— Jacob Mario (@JacobMario4) November 30, 2022

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.