India Scraps Boarding Pass Stamps

India will discontinue the mandatory requirement of physical boarding pass stamps at international airports from September 1. The Bureau of Immigration has communicated the decision to scrap physical boarding pass stamps to international airport operators, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and other stakeholders.

Passengers can present their e-boarding passes at immigration counters for clearance. Physical boarding passes will continue to be accepted but will not be stamped by immigration authorities. The move is aimed at simplifying immigration clearance and reducing inconvenience for passengers.

The decision was made after instances of errors in reading boarding passes due to improper or incorrect stamping were reported. The CISF had stopped stamping boarding passes for both domestic and international passengers many years ago.

## What happens next A pilot project to do away with the stamping of immigration entry and exit for Indian passport holders is planned. The measure is expected to be operationalized across Indian airports after the pilot exercise is completed.

## Why it matters The decision to scrap physical boarding pass stamps is a significant step towards simplifying immigration clearance and reducing errors. It will make the process more convenient for passengers and reduce the risk of errors due to improper or incorrect stamping. The move is also in line with the government's efforts to digitize and streamline various processes.

The Bureau of Immigration, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has asked airport and aviation stakeholders to brief their staff about the revised procedure, which will take effect on September 1. With the introduction of e-boarding passes, passengers will no longer need to carry physical boarding passes, making the immigration process more efficient and convenient.