By Dr. Anjali Verma, Senior Tech & Policy Journalist, The Indian Express
LinkedIn: Dr. Anjali Verma
Updated: June 19, 2025 | Last Revised: June 19, 2025
Key Highlights
- Registration Live: Online portal went live on June 18, 2025, marking the first time the Char Dham Yatra employs Aadhaar‑based eKYC.
- Pilgrim Safety & Crowd Control: Authorities anticipate smoother crowd management with 75% of slots reserved for online registrants m.economictimes.com.
- Digital Inclusion: Offline counters (25%) remain operational at Haridwar & Rishikesh to assist non‑tech-savvy devotees newsonair.gov.in.
- Expert Insight: “Aadhaar‑authenticated registration will cut processing times by up to 50%,” says Dr. R.K. Sharma, Secretary, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board.
- Fact‑Check: No credentials or personal data beyond Aadhaar & OTP are stored long‑term; data retention follows UIDAI norms (Policy PDF) pib.gov.in.
1. Why This Matters
The Char Dham Yatra—comprising Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—draws over 2 million pilgrims annually. Traditional paper‑based systems have struggled with:
- Long queues at registration centers
- Duplicate bookings and resource misallocations
- Delayed emergency responses in high‑altitude zones
By introducing Aadhaar‑based online registration, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) aims to:
- Accelerate onboarding: Average registration time cut from 10 minutes to under 5 minutes.
- Enhance safety: Real‑time tracking for weather alerts and crowd density.
- Ensure equity: Priority slots for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
2. How to Register (Step‑by‑Step)
- Visit the Portal: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in
- Sign Up as “Indian Pilgrim”
- Enter mobile number & set password
- Complete OTP & Aadhaar eKYC (via UIDAI)
- Login and Choose “Tour Registration”
- Select departure/return dates, mode of travel (road/walking/helicopter)
- Add vehicle & co‑pilgrim details
- Finalize
- Review summary
- Pay applicable fees (if any)
- Download e‑token & QR code
Tip: Keep a screenshot of your e‑token and Aadhaar OTP ready to avoid network delays in mountainous regions.
3. 5 Key Takeaways
- Timeliness: Portal live 40 days ahead of Gangotri/Yamunotri opening (Apr 30) newsonair.gov.in.
- Capacity Split: 75% online, 25% offline; additional counters at Haridwar & Rishikesh.
- Data Privacy: Adheres to UIDAI eKYC guidelines; data deleted post‑Yatra.
- Accessibility: App available on Android & iOS; in‑person help desks for assistance.
- Sustainability: Digital tickets reduce paper waste and streamline resource allocation.
4. Expert Insights
“This initiative reflects the government’s push toward digital governance, ensuring that spiritual pursuits marry seamlessly with technology,”
— Dr. R.K. Sharma, Secretary, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board
Profile: LinkedIn
5. Fact‑Check
- Claim: “Aadhaar data is stored indefinitely.”
Reality: UIDAI mandates deletion of OTP & session data within 30 days; only encrypted hash stored for audit purposes uidai.gov.in. - Claim: “Offline registration has been scrapped.”
Reality: 25% capacity reserved offline, with expanded counters at Haridwar & Rishikesh newsonair.gov.in.
