Travel Documents for India Flights

For a domestic flight in India, most passengers need two basic things: a boarding pass and a valid government-issued photo ID. Indian citizens do not need a passport for domestic flights, but foreign nationals should carry their original passport.

The document rules change for infants, children, unaccompanied minors, international passengers, DigiLocker users and travellers who arrive at the airport without a physical ID. This guide explains what to carry before you leave for the airport.

Quick Answer: What ID Do You Need to Fly in India?

For domestic flights in India, carry a valid government-issued photo ID and your boarding pass. Indian citizens can use Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, PAN card, driving licence or another accepted photo ID. Foreign nationals should carry their original passport. For international flights, a valid passport and required visa or entry document are essential.

Traveller	Domestic Flight in India	International Flight to/from India
Indian adult	Government-issued photo ID + boarding pass	Passport + visa/entry document if required
Foreign national	Original passport + boarding pass	Passport + visa/entry document
Infant or child	Age proof or ID as airline requires	Passport + visa/OCI/entry document if required
Unaccompanied minor	ID + airline forms + guardian documents	Passport + consent forms + airline/country documents
DigiLocker user	Accepted by many airports/airlines, but keep backup if possible	Passport is still required for international travel

Documents Required for Domestic Flights in India

For domestic flights within India, the basic requirement is simple: carry your boarding pass and an accepted proof of identity. The name on your ticket should match the name on the ID you present at airport entry, check-in and boarding.

For most domestic passengers, carry

Boarding pass, printed or digital.
Valid government-issued photo ID.
E-ticket or booking confirmation if needed.
Payment card used for booking if your airline asks for verification.
Infant or child age proof if travelling with children.
Special assistance or medical documents if relevant.

Simple rule: do not reach the airport with only a ticket screenshot. Keep an accepted ID ready before you enter the terminal.

Valid ID Proofs for Domestic Flights

Airlines in India commonly accept the following documents as proof of identity for domestic travel. Requirements may vary slightly by airline, but this is the practical list most passengers should work from.

Commonly accepted domestic flight IDs

Aadhaar card.
Passport.
Voter ID card.
PAN card.
Driving licence.
Photo ID issued by central or state government.
Photo ID issued by public sector undertaking, local body or public limited company.
Student identity card issued by a government or government-recognised institution.
Nationalised bank passbook with attested photograph.
Pension card or pension document with photograph.
Disability ID card or medical certificate issued by the relevant government authority.

Photocopy warning: photocopies and casual screenshots may not be accepted. Carry the original ID, a valid digital ID through an accepted platform such as DigiLocker, or another airline-accepted proof.

Can You Fly Domestically With Aadhaar?

Yes. Aadhaar is widely accepted as ID proof for domestic flights in India when the name matches the ticket. A physical Aadhaar card, PVC Aadhaar, e-Aadhaar or Aadhaar available through approved digital platforms may be accepted depending on the airport and airline process.

Aadhaar travel tips

Make sure the name matches your ticket.
Carry physical Aadhaar or another backup ID when possible.
Keep your phone charged if using digital Aadhaar.
Do not rely only on a blurry screenshot.
Use DigiLocker or mAadhaar where accepted.
Carry passport or another ID if Aadhaar details are outdated.

Name match tip: small spelling differences can create problems at airport entry or check-in. Use the same name format from your ID when booking tickets.

DigiLocker and Digital IDs at Indian Airports

DigiLocker documents are accepted at many Indian airports and by major airlines for domestic travel. This is useful if you do not want to carry every physical document, but you should still keep a backup plan.

When DigiLocker helps

You forgot your physical Aadhaar but have verified Aadhaar in DigiLocker.
You want a digital copy of ID documents.
You need quick access to government-issued documents.
Your phone is charged and internet/app access is working.

When DigiLocker can still create problems

Your phone battery is dead.
The app does not open due to network or login issues.
The airport or staff asks for physical verification.
The document name does not match the ticket.
You are travelling internationally and need a physical passport.

Best practice: DigiLocker is useful, but carry one physical backup ID when possible. A charged phone, working app and matching document name are essential.

DigiYatra, Boarding Pass and Airport Entry

DigiYatra is a digital airport process that uses identity verification, facial recognition and boarding pass linking at participating airports. It can make airport entry and security movement faster, but it does not remove the need to have valid travel documents.

Important DigiYatra reminders

It is available only at participating airports and gates.
You must upload or link your boarding pass correctly.
Your ID and travel details should match.
Technical issues can happen, so carry backup ID.
Manual document checks may still be required.
International use may differ from domestic use.

Do not depend only on DigiYatra. If the gate, app, camera or airport system is not working, you may need to use the normal manual document check.

Can You Fly Domestically in India Without a Passport?

Yes. Indian citizens do not need a passport for domestic flights within India if they have another accepted government-issued photo ID such as Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN card or driving licence.

Foreign nationals, however, should carry their original passport for domestic flights within India. A foreign visitor should not rely on Aadhaar, PAN or local documents unless the airline specifically confirms acceptance for that traveller’s situation.

Passenger Type	Passport Needed for Domestic India Flight?	Practical Answer
Indian citizen	No, if another accepted photo ID is carried	Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN, driving licence or passport can work
Foreign national	Yes, carry original passport	Passport is the safest and expected ID
Indian child	Depends on airline and age	Carry birth certificate, school ID or passport where relevant
International passenger	Yes	Passport and entry documents required

Documents for Foreign Nationals on Domestic Flights

Foreign nationals travelling on domestic flights in India should carry their original passport. Some travellers may also need to keep visa, e-Visa, OCI or residence permit details accessible, especially if the airline asks for verification.

Foreign nationals should carry

Original passport.
Indian visa, e-Visa or entry permission if applicable.
OCI card or e-OCI details if applicable.
Domestic boarding pass.
Hotel or onward travel details if needed.
Emergency contact information.

Foreign traveller rule: do not use a passport photocopy as your main ID for a domestic flight in India. Carry the original passport.

Documents for Infants and Children

Children and infants may need proof of age or identity. This is especially important when an airline needs to confirm that a child qualifies as an infant, that the ticket is booked correctly, or that the child is travelling with the correct adult.

Useful documents for children

Birth certificate.
Passport.
School ID for older children.
Government-issued child ID if available.
Vaccination record or hospital document for very young infants, if airline accepts it.
Parent or guardian ID.
Consent letter if one parent is travelling alone or child is travelling with another adult.
Medical certificate if the newborn is very young or has a health condition.

Infant tip: carry proof of age for babies under 2. Airlines may ask for it to confirm infant ticket eligibility.

Documents for Children Travelling Alone

Children travelling alone usually need more documents than children travelling with parents. Airline unaccompanied minor rules vary by age, route and airline, so confirm before booking.

Common unaccompanied minor documents

Child’s valid ID or passport.
Airline unaccompanied minor form.
Parent or guardian consent letter.
Parent or guardian photo ID.
Drop-off adult details.
Pick-up adult details.
Contact numbers for both ends of the journey.
International documents if flying abroad.

Do not book first and check later. Some airlines restrict unaccompanied minors on connecting flights, international flights or certain late-night routes.

Documents Required to Fly Into India

For international travel to India, passengers should carry a valid passport and the correct entry document. Depending on nationality and status, this may be a visa, e-Visa, OCI card, e-OCI record, residence permit or other entry approval.

International passengers may need

Valid passport.
Valid Indian visa or e-Visa.
OCI card or e-OCI details, if applicable.
Return or onward ticket if required by airline or immigration.
Hotel address or stay address in India.
Arrival form or e-Arrival Card if required.
Air Suvidha or health declaration if required for specific health advisories.
Customs declaration if carrying dutiable or restricted goods.

Passport rule: international travel is not like domestic travel. Aadhaar, PAN or voter ID cannot replace a passport for international flights.

Do You Need to Fill Out a Form to Travel to India?

It depends on your travel situation. Domestic passengers usually do not need an immigration or arrival form. International passengers may need immigration, visa, arrival, health or customs forms depending on nationality, route, health advisories and what they are carrying.

Form or Process	Who May Need It?	When to Check
Indian visa or e-Visa	Foreign nationals who require visa	Before booking or departure
e-Arrival Card	Eligible foreign nationals or OCI travellers where applicable	Before arrival in India
Air Suvidha / health declaration	Passengers from routes affected by specific health advisories	Close to travel date
Customs declaration	Passengers carrying dutiable/restricted items or currency above limits	Before arrival or at airport
Consent letter	Children travelling alone or with one parent/another adult	Before departure

Is OK to Board Required for IndiGo?

“OK to Board” is not a normal requirement for domestic flights within India. It is usually connected to certain international visa and destination checks, especially on routes where airlines must verify passenger documents before allowing boarding.

If you are flying IndiGo or any other airline internationally, check the destination country, visa type and airline document requirement. If your ticket or visa process says OK to Board is required, complete it before reaching the airport.

Domestic vs international: do not confuse domestic ID requirements with international visa checks. Aadhaar may be enough for many domestic Indian citizens, but international travel requires passport and entry documents.

Name Mismatch Between Ticket and ID

The name on your ticket should match the name on your ID. Airlines and airport entry staff can question mismatches, especially when the spelling, surname, initials or order of names differs.

Common name problems

Ticket has initials but ID has full name.
Ticket has maiden name but ID has married name.
Passport surname and given name are reversed.
Spelling mistake in ticket.
Different order of first name, middle name and surname.
Child’s name differs from birth certificate or passport.

Before payment: enter the passenger name exactly as it appears on the ID or passport that will be used for travel.

Name Changes on Flight Tickets

What If You Forgot Your ID at the Airport?

If you forgot your physical ID, do not panic. First check whether you have an accepted digital ID in DigiLocker or another airline-accepted platform. Then speak to airline staff or airport entry staff calmly.

Steps to try

Open DigiLocker and show the verified document if accepted.
Check whether another accepted ID is in your wallet or phone.
Ask the airline counter what backup proof they can accept.
Ask whether an identity certificate or other emergency process is possible.
Do not rely on edited images or unofficial screenshots.
For international flights, do not expect to travel without your passport.

Important: an airline may still refuse boarding if you cannot present acceptable identity proof. Always carry at least one reliable backup ID.

Airport Document Checklist

Use this checklist before leaving for the airport.

Domestic India flight checklist

Boarding pass.
Accepted photo ID.
Backup ID if possible.
Phone charged if using DigiLocker or DigiYatra.
Infant or child age proof if travelling with children.
Consent letter if child travel situation requires it.
Medical document if needed.
Payment card used for booking if airline may ask.

International flight checklist

Passport.
Visa, e-Visa, OCI or entry permit.
Boarding pass and ticket.
Arrival forms if required.
Health declaration if required.
Customs declaration if required.
Child consent letter if relevant.
Transit visa if required.
Return or onward ticket if required.

Official Links to Check

Bottom Line

For domestic flights in India, carry your boarding pass and a valid government-issued photo ID. Indian citizens can usually fly domestically with Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, PAN card, driving licence or another accepted photo ID. Foreign nationals should carry their original passport.

For international flights, carry your passport, visa or entry document, and any required forms. If you are travelling with infants, children, unaccompanied minors or digital IDs, check the airline’s document rules before reaching the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ID do you need to fly in India?

For domestic flights in India, Indian citizens need a valid government-issued photo ID such as Aadhaar, passport, voter ID, PAN card or driving licence. Foreign nationals should carry their original passport.

What documents do I need to fly domestically in India?

You need a boarding pass and an accepted photo ID. Children may need age proof or child ID, and foreign nationals should carry their original passport.

What documentation is required for domestic flights?

Domestic passengers generally need a valid photo ID and boarding pass. Depending on the airline, children, infants and unaccompanied minors may need additional documents.

Do I need to fill out a form to travel to India?

Domestic passengers usually do not need an arrival form. International passengers may need a visa, e-Arrival Card, health declaration, customs declaration or other form depending on route and status.

What documents do I need to fly into India?

International passengers flying into India need a valid passport and the correct visa, e-Visa, OCI or entry document. Some travellers may also need arrival, health or customs forms.

Can I fly domestically in India without a passport?

Yes, Indian citizens can fly domestically without a passport if they carry another accepted photo ID such as Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN card or driving licence. Foreign nationals should carry their passport.

Is OK to Board required for IndiGo?

OK to Board is not normally required for domestic flights. It may apply to certain international routes, visa types or destination rules. Check IndiGo and the destination country before travel.

Can you fly domestically in India with an Aadhaar card?

Yes, Aadhaar is widely accepted for domestic flights in India when the name matches the ticket. Carry a physical Aadhaar, accepted digital Aadhaar or another backup ID when possible.

Are DigiLocker IDs accepted at Indian airports?

DigiLocker IDs are accepted at many Indian airports and by major airlines for domestic travel. However, carry a physical backup ID when possible in case of phone, app or airport system issues.

Do infants need ID for domestic flights in India?

Airlines may ask for proof of age or identity for infants, such as a birth certificate, passport or other accepted document. Carry proof of age when travelling with a baby under 2.