Why Is Char Dham Yatra Registration Mandatory?
The mandatory registration system was introduced by the Uttarakhand government after the tragic 2013 Kedarnath floods, when thousands of unregistered pilgrims were stranded and it was impossible to account for them. Today, the biometric registration system serves three purposes:
1️⃣Safety tracking
If a disaster occurs, authorities know exactly how many people are at which dham and can mount a targeted rescue.
2️⃣Daily limit enforcement
Each dham has a maximum daily capacity. Registration allows the government to enforce these limits and prevent dangerous overcrowding.
3️⃣Medical screening
Pilgrims above 55 must submit a medical certificate. Registration creates a health record that helps emergency responders.
"In 2013, we lost pilgrims whose families had no idea where exactly they were on the route. That tragedy changed everything. Today, registration means we know every pilgrim by name, Aadhaar, and location. It is the single best safety system this pilgrimage has ever had."
— Dhanesh Chandra Mishra, Shiv Ganga Travels, Haridwar
The Only Official Registration Website
✅ Official Website — 100% FREE (₹0):
registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in⚠️ Registration is completely free — ₹0. Any website or person asking you to pay for Char Dham registration is running a scam. The government removed the ₹150 fee for 2026.
📋 What is the e-Pass called? (All names for the same document)
Yatra e-PassYatra ParchiYatra PermitRegistration CardRegistration LetterQR Code Slip
All six terms refer to the same document — the PDF certificate with a QR code that the portal generates after you complete registration. It is checked at every dham checkpoint. Call it what you like; just carry both a printed copy and a digital one.
📈
1.26 Lakh
Registered on Day 1 (March 6, 2026)
🌐
60% Online
Slots reserved for online registration
🏢
40% Offline
Slots for walk-in offline centres
🕐
24×7 Open
Centres in first 15 days of season
🌐Recommended
Online (Website)
registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — best for first-time users. Works on mobile and desktop.
💬Easiest
WhatsApp
Type "Yatra" and send to +91-8394833833. Easiest for pilgrims not comfortable with web forms.
📲Handy on journey
Mobile App
"Tourist Care Uttarakhand" — available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Can register and re-download permit anytime.
🏢No internet needed
Offline Centre
Walk-in registration at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and at each dham base. Bring original Aadhaar.
How to Register Online — 6 Simple Steps
The entire online process takes 15–20 minutes. Do it from a computer for the best experience — the mobile version can be slow during peak season.
01
Visit the official portal
Go to registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in on your browser. Click the "Yatra Registration" button on the homepage.
02
Create your account
Click "New Registration." Enter your mobile number — an OTP will be sent. Enter the OTP to verify. Create a password. Note: use the mobile number that is working and accessible during your yatra.
03
Enter pilgrim details
Fill in details for each traveller: Full name exactly as on Aadhaar, Aadhaar number, date of birth, gender, address. For groups, add each member separately. The system allows up to 6 members per registration.
04
Select dhams and travel dates
Choose which dhams you are planning to visit and your expected date at each. You can select all 4 (Char Dham) or fewer (Do Dham, single dham). You can update these dates later on the same portal without re-registering.
05
Upload medical certificate (if 55+)
If any group member is aged 55 years or above, upload a scanned copy of the medical fitness certificate from a registered MBBS doctor. The certificate must confirm fitness for high-altitude travel.
06
Download and print your yatra permit
After successful submission, download your Char Dham Yatra Permit as a PDF. Print it and carry it throughout the journey. Also save a digital copy on your phone. It will be checked at checkpoints before each dham.
Offline Registration Centres — Walk-In, Free, No Internet Needed
If you prefer to register in person, bring your original Aadhaar card to any centre below. All centres are free. The government has set up 30 counters in Rishikesh and 20 counters in Haridwar for 2026 to handle peak demand. Helpline: 0135-1364 (Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM).
| Location | Centre Address | Counters / Notes |
|---|
| Haridwar | Near Har Ki Pauri, Tourist Information Centre | 20 counters. Register here before departing — best option. |
| Rishikesh | Near Ram Jhula, Tourism office | 30 counters. Largest centre. For pilgrims based in Rishikesh. |
| Dehradun | ISBT Bus Stand, Tourist Care Counter | For travellers arriving via Dehradun or Jolly Grant Airport. |
| Barkot | Tourist Rest House, Barkot | Yamunotri base — last registration point before Janki Chatti. |
| Uttarkashi | District Tourism Office | Gangotri base — register here before heading to Gangotri. |
| Sonprayag | Tourist Care Counter | Kedarnath base — register before the Sonprayag checkpoint. |
| Joshimath | Tourist Care Centre | Badrinath base — register before the Joshimath checkpoint. |
Documents Required — Complete Checklist
🪪Aadhaar Card (Recommended)
Mandatory for all Indian pilgrims. Name and details must match exactly what you enter in the registration form. Fastest OTP verification.
🗳️Voter ID / PAN / Driving Licence
Also accepted at the official portal and at all offline centres. Aadhaar is preferred but not the only option for Indian citizens.
📱Aadhaar-linked Mobile
OTP will be sent to this number for verification. Must be active and in your possession during the yatra.
🏥Medical Certificate (55+)
From a registered MBBS doctor. Must state "fit for high-altitude travel." Valid for the current season.
📷Passport Photo
May be required at physical registration centres. Digital copy for online registration.
🚨Emergency Contact
Name and mobile number of a family member not travelling with you.
🛂Passport (Foreign Nationals)
Foreign passport holders must also complete Char Dham registration. Passport number is used instead of Aadhaar.
Daily Pilgrim Limits 2026 — Know Before You Go
This is the detail most pilgrims overlook until it is too late. Each dham has a strict daily limit enforced at checkpoints. If the limit is reached, pilgrims at the checkpoint are held back — even with a valid registration permit.
🏔️
Kedarnath
15,000–17,000
pilgrims/day
Most sought-after — book packages early
🕌
Badrinath
20,000
pilgrims/day
Higher capacity, fewer day-limit issues
🌊
Gangotri
7,000–8,000
pilgrims/day
Lower limit — plan dates carefully
⛩️
Yamunotri
7,000–8,000
pilgrims/day
Smallest capacity — avoid peak May dates
Worried about hitting the daily cap?
Our team monitors daily counts and adjusts departure timing so your group is never turned back. Registration handled free with every package.
🚁 Booking Kedarnath Helicopter? Register First.
From 2026, the IRCTC helicopter portal (heliyatra.irctc.co.in) requires your Yatra Registration Number to log in. You cannot book a Kedarnath helicopter slot without first completing Char Dham Yatra registration. The sequence is:
Ready to book? Get a personalised quote in 2 minutes.
Direct operator · No agent commission · 15 years on these routes
→ 1. Complete Char Dham Yatra registration at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in (free, takes 15 min)
→ 2. Note your Yatra Registration Number from the confirmation
→ 3. Go to heliyatra.irctc.co.in and log in using your Registration Number + Aadhaar
→ 4. Book your helicopter slot (May slots sell out by February — book early)
Full helicopter booking guide →
Special Rules for Pilgrims Aged 55 and Above
🏥 Medical Certificate is Non-Negotiable
→ Must be issued by a registered MBBS doctor (government or private hospital)
→ Must explicitly state the pilgrim is "fit for high-altitude travel to Kedarnath/Char Dham"
→ Must mention the pilgrim's name, age, and date of issue
→ Date of issue should be within 30 days of your yatra start date
→ Carry original + photocopy — checkpoints may retain a copy
Note: Pilgrims with heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes should carry medical certificates regardless of age and inform their tour operator in advance.
Char Dham Yatra Registration for Foreign Nationals & NRIs
Foreign nationals, NRIs, and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs/OCI card holders) can complete Char Dham Yatra. Here is what is different for international pilgrims:
🌏 NRI / Overseas Indian Checklist
✓ Have Aadhaar? Use it — process is exactly the same as domestic registration.
✓ No active Aadhaar? Register using your Indian passport, OCI card, or PIO card at the official portal.
✓ No active Indian mobile number? Ask a trusted family member in India to register on your behalf using your documents — this is permitted.
✓ Arriving in India? Buy a local SIM at the airport (₹100–200), then register online or at the Haridwar/Rishikesh walk-in centre.
✓ Helicopter booking needs an Indian mobile number — register it first at heliyatra.irctc.co.in.
⚠️ 2026 New Rule: Entry Restrictions for Non-Hindus
The Uttarakhand government introduced religion-based entry conditions for 2026. Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Gangotri have restrictions — non-Hindu pilgrims may face conditions or be asked to declare their faith at the temple entry. Yamunotri remains open to all visitors without restriction. Foreign nationals and non-Hindu Indian pilgrims should check the latest BKTC notification before travelling to the three restricted dhams.
✓ Register at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in using passport number instead of Aadhaar
✓ Carry original passport at all checkpoints throughout the yatra
✓ No special permit is required beyond the yatra registration — Inner Line Permit is not needed for the standard Char Dham circuit
✓ Helicopter bookings via IRCTC (heliyatra.irctc.co.in) require a valid Indian phone number — international pilgrims should purchase a local SIM before booking
✓ Some hotels close to the dhams may request passport copy at check-in — carry photocopies
Registration Portal Not Working? OTP Not Coming? Fix It Here.
The portal at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in handles millions of requests after registration opens in March. Server load is real. These are the exact problems our pilgrims report, and how to solve each one.
⏳Portal very slow / keeps timing out
✅ Try at late night (11 PM – 5 AM IST) when server load drops. Use Chrome or Firefox — avoid Safari on mobile. Clear browser cache before trying again.
→ Alternative: Switch to the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app — it loads faster than the website.
📱OTP not received on mobile
✅ Wait 2–3 minutes — SMS delivery can be delayed during peak traffic. Check if your number is Airtel/Jio/BSNL — some less common operators have SMS gateway delays. Use the Resend OTP button only once; too many requests locks the number.
→ Alternative: Register via WhatsApp instead: type "Yatra" to 8394833833.
🖼️Photo or document upload fails
✅ Image must be JPG or PNG, between 10KB–150KB. Use a free compression tool (compressjpeg.com) to reduce file size. Ensure no blur, glare or cropping — checkpoints may reject blurry ID photos.
🔒Forgot password / can't log back in
✅ Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page — OTP will be sent to your registered mobile. If your registered number is no longer active, visit an offline centre at Haridwar or Rishikesh with your Aadhaar — they can help reset or re-register.
❓Registration submitted but no confirmation received
✅ Check your SMS inbox for the confirmation message. Log back into the portal with your mobile number and check "My Registrations" — your permit PDF will be there. If nothing shows, call the helpline: 0135-1364.
📞 Char Dham Registration Helpline: 0135-1364 · Also reachable as toll-free 1364 · WhatsApp: 8394833833 · Email: touristcare-uk@nic.in 5 Most Common Registration Mistakes — Avoid These
01
❌ Name mismatch with Aadhaar
✅ Fix: Enter your name exactly as it appears on your Aadhaar card — including middle name if present. Mismatch causes rejection at checkpoints.
02
❌ Registering on a fake/paid website
✅ Fix: Only registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in is official. Any website charging money for registration is a scam.
03
❌ Forgetting to add all group members
✅ Fix: Registration is individual — each pilgrim in your group must be registered. One registration per person. Groups of more than 6 need separate registrations.
04
❌ Not carrying physical copy
✅ Fix: A screenshot on your phone may not be accepted if connectivity is poor at mountain checkpoints. Always print a physical copy.
05
❌ Not uploading medical certificate for 55+
✅ Fix: Without the medical certificate, 55+ pilgrims will be turned back at the checkpoint regardless of their yatra permit. Get the certificate from a doctor at least 1 week before registration.
How Shiv Ganga Travels Handles Your Registration
Every Char Dham Yatra package booked with Shiv Ganga Travels includes full registration assistance at no extra charge. Here is exactly what we do:
✓ We send you a registration checklist 30 days before your departure
✓ Our team submits the online registration application on your behalf using your provided documents
✓ We guide 55+ pilgrims through obtaining the correct medical certificate format
✓ We carry physical copies of all registration permits in the vehicle throughout the yatra
✓ If daily limits are hit at a checkpoint, our drivers know alternate timing strategies and holding points
✓ We monitor the official Char Dham daily count portal and alert groups in advance