Aadhaar Not Mandatory For Digi Yatra Registration If Other ID Proof Available: Kerala High Court's Prima Facie View

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (15 July) expressed a prima facie view that Aadhaar details should not be made mandatory for registration on the Digi Yatra platform, if a passenger can establish their identity through any other valid government issued identity proof.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M made the observations while considering a PIL filed alleging potential risks in the collection, storage and processing of sensitive passenger data at airports across India.

The Court had previously issued notice to the Digi Yatra Foundation in the public interest litigation. 

Appearing for the Airport Authority of India (AAI), Additional Solicitor General of India (ASGI) submitted that Digi Yatra is a voluntary facility and that passengers are not compelled to use the platform.

The ASGI informed the court that biometric and identity-related details remain only with Digi Yatra and are deleted after the passenger's journey is completed. 

The Bench, however, sought clarity on the present position regarding Aadhaar.

"The question is whether Aadhaar card can be insisted upon or not," the court said.

The ASGI reiterated that registration under Digi Yatra is entirely voluntary and only those passengers who voluntarily choose to register provide their details.

It was further submitted that Aadhaar is sought only for the purpose of ensuring the identity of the person registering on the platform.

"But if I go and buy a ticket from the counter, I don't need Aadhar...That cannot be a reason. If I am not required to disclose my Aadhar for buying an ordinary ticket or buying an air ticket, just because it is only a technology...The same kind of identity is required to disclose the...Why Aadhar card is compulsory?" the Court asked.

The ASGI then sought time to obtain instructions and submitted that Digi Yatra is also a party to the proceedings. 

"We are prima facie of the view that Aadhaar details may not be made mandatory while registering in Digi Yatra, if the petitioner has any other identity proof to establish his identity. The matter is adjourned on the instance of Digi Yatra...to appraise this Court, whether any other identity proof would be sufficient enough for access to the said portal by a person," the Court ordered.

The petitioner, C R Neelakandan has sought interim directions to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to ensure that handling of passenger data complies strictly with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025.

The plea sought temporary restraint on airport operators and their commercial partners from sharing or commercially exploiting passengers' personal data or disclosing it to third parties without authorization. 

Case Title : C R Neelakandan v Union of India and Ors.

Case No: WP(PIL) 15/ 2026

Counsel for Petitioner: Santhosh Mathew (Sr.), Jayasankar R

Counsel for Respondent: O M Shalina (DSGI), Arjun venugopal (CGC)