India plans to launch a pilot study for facial biometric-based immigration in June 2025, according to Suresh Khadakbhavi , CEO, Digi Yatra Foundation. Speaking at the CAPA Digital Aviation Summit, Khadakbhavi stated, “We are planning an international pilot project between two countries. While we don’t want to overcommit, we are actively working in this direction.”

Currently, the Digi Yatra facility, which enables seamless digital boarding using facial recognition, is available for domestic passengers at 24 airports across the country. The next step involves collaborating with the Bureau of Immigration and visa-issuing agencies to extend this service to international travelers entering and leaving India.

The initial rollout will target international passengers, with Indian citizens gaining access once the government begins issuing e-passports. Khadakbhavi noted that this move would simplify the immigration process by reducing the need for passengers to repeatedly show travel documents at multiple checkpoints, enabling quicker clearance at both departure and arrival points.

India is currently testing e-passports at regional passport offices in Bhubaneswar and Nagpur. Following a successful pilot and necessary certifications, the Ministry of External Affairs plans to implement e-passports nationwide in phases. The new e-passports will feature a combination of paper and electronic components, including an embedded RFID chip that stores critical data, making them harder to forge. The design complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

“Countries within the European Union, Singapore, and others have already adopted e-passports, and a significant portion of their citizens hold such documents. Thus, we are looking to involve them in our pilot project,” Khadakbhavi added.

The government is also drafting a national policy to transform Indian airports into major international hubs that provide single-point connectivity for the entire South Asian region. The policy, which will require Cabinet approval, aims to address security and immigration challenges, allocate international flying rights, and enhance infrastructure to position airports like Delhi’s as competitive transit hubs alongside Dubai and Singapore. (ET)