Digi Yatra can be a topic that may be asked in a Group Discussion (GD) or Personal Interview (PI) in SSB (Services Selection Board) interview. The purpose of GD and PI is to assess the candidate’s knowledge, analytical skills, communication skills, and ability to work in a team. Digi Yatra is an important initiative by the Indian Government, and it can be a relevant topic for discussion in the GD or PI. The candidate should have a basic understanding of Digi Yatra, its benefits, implementation, and challenges. They should also be able to express their opinions and ideas related to Digi Yatra effectively. Therefore, candidates should keep themselves updated on current affairs related to Digi Yatra and other important topics.
“Digi Yatra” is an initiative by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in India to facilitate a seamless and hassle-free travel experience for passengers. The program is aimed at making air travel more convenient, efficient, and secure by integrating technology at every step of the journey. Digi Yatra is a comprehensive digital solution that allows passengers to skip long queues, reduces paperwork, and provides a paperless travel experience. In this research report, we will explore the details of the Digi Yatra program, its benefits, and its impact on the aviation industry in India.
Background:
The aviation industry in India has been growing rapidly in recent years, with an increasing number of passengers choosing air travel for both domestic and international destinations. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India is expected to become the third-largest aviation market in the world by 2024. With this growth, there has been a need for a more efficient and secure travel experience for passengers.
Digi Yatra was launched in 2018 as a pilot project at Hyderabad and Bangalore airports. It was later extended to other airports in India. The program was launched in collaboration with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Airport Authority of India (AAI), and airlines operating in India.
Details of Digi Yatra:
The Digi Yatra program offers a seamless and paperless travel experience for passengers. It is based on the concept of a “digitally connected” airport, where passengers can use their Aadhaar card or passport as a digital identity to enter the airport, board the flight, and collect baggage. The program uses facial recognition technology to identify passengers at various checkpoints, reducing the need for manual verification of documents.
The following are the key features of the Digi Yatra program:
- Digital Identity: Passengers can create a digital identity using their Aadhaar card or passport. This digital identity is linked to their flight booking and can be used to enter the airport, board the flight, and collect baggage.
- Self Bag Drop: Passengers can use self-bag drop kiosks to check-in their baggage. The kiosks use facial recognition technology to identify passengers and match their digital identity with their flight booking.
- E-Boarding: Passengers can use e-boarding gates to board the flight. The gates use facial recognition technology to identify passengers and match their digital identity with their flight booking.
- Biometric Verification: Passengers can use facial recognition technology for biometric verification at various checkpoints such as security check, boarding gate, and baggage collection.
Benefits of Digi Yatra:
The Digi Yatra program offers several benefits to passengers, airlines, and airports. Some of the key benefits are as follows:
- Seamless Travel Experience: Digi Yatra offers a seamless and paperless travel experience for passengers. It reduces the need for manual verification of documents and eliminates the need for passengers to carry multiple documents.
- Faster Check-In: Digi Yatra offers self-bag drop kiosks and e-boarding gates, which reduces the time taken for check-in and boarding.
- Enhanced Security: Digi Yatra uses facial recognition technology for biometric verification, which enhances security and reduces the risk of identity theft.
- Cost Savings: Digi Yatra reduces the need for manual verification of documents, which can result in cost savings for airports and airlines.
Challenges faced by Digi Yatra:
- Low adoption rate: Despite the benefits, the adoption rate of Digi Yatra has been low. Many passengers still prefer to carry physical documents and complete the formalities manually.
- Infrastructure constraints: Digi Yatra requires a robust digital infrastructure, including biometric scanners and kiosks, which is not available at all airports in the country. This limits the implementation of Digi Yatra to a few airports.
- Data privacy concerns: Digi Yatra involves the collection and storage of passengers’ biometric data, which raises data privacy concerns. There is a need to ensure the security of the data and protect it from unauthorized access.
Impact of Digi Yatra:
Digi Yatra has had a positive impact on the aviation industry in India. It has reduced the time taken for check-in and boarding, and has enhanced security at airports. According to a report by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Digi Yatra has been implemented at 12 airports in India, and more than 30 lakh passengers have used the program since its launch.
Digi Yatra is a significant step towards digital transformation in the Indian aviation sector. It has the potential to enhance the travel experience for passengers and improve the efficiency of airport operations. However, the initiative needs to overcome the challenges of low adoption, infrastructure constraints, and data privacy concerns to achieve its full potential. The Indian Government needs to work with the aviation industry stakeholders to address these challenges and promote the adoption of Digi Yatra at all airports in the country.
