Why Biometric Registration is Mandatory
The Uttarakhand government introduced mandatory biometric registration for Char Dham Yatra after the 2013 Kedarnath disaster, which killed thousands of pilgrims caught in flash floods. The system serves three purposes: daily quota management to prevent overcrowding, identity tracking for emergency response, and health screening to reduce medical emergencies on the trail.
Since 2019, registration has been compulsory at checkpoints — pilgrims without a valid registration slip are turned back. The system was initially offline only but has been fully digitalised since 2022, allowing registration from home.
Registration Portal — Official URL
The only official registration portal is: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in
There are dozens of fraudulent third-party websites that mimic the government portal and charge unofficial fees. Always verify the URL contains .uk.gov.in (the official Uttarakhand government domain) before entering any personal or payment information.
Documents Required for Registration
- Aadhaar card — mandatory for Indian nationals (linked mobile number required for OTP verification)
- Passport — mandatory for foreign nationals
- Passport-size photograph — digital copy (JPEG, max 1 MB) for upload
- Medical fitness certificate — mandatory for pilgrims aged 50 and above. Certificate must be signed by a registered MBBS doctor and include confirmation that the pilgrim is fit to undertake the yatra. Doctors at major hospitals can issue this in advance.
- Mobile number — for OTP verification and registration slip delivery via SMS
Step-by-Step Online Registration Guide
- Open registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in on a browser. The portal is optimised for mobile and desktop.
- Click 'Registration' on the homepage. Select 'New Registration'.
- Enter your mobile number. You will receive an OTP within 60 seconds. Enter the OTP to verify.
- Fill in personal details: Full name (as on Aadhaar), date of birth, gender, address, state, pin code.
- Enter Aadhaar number and upload a photograph.
- If aged 50+, upload the medical fitness certificate PDF.
- Select the dham(s) you are visiting, your intended travel dates, and entry time slot (morning or afternoon slots are offered for quota management).
- Review all details carefully — name spelling must exactly match your ID document.
- Pay the registration fee (nominal, approximately ₹50–100) via UPI, net banking, or debit/credit card.
- Download and save the registration slip as a PDF. Print a physical copy as backup.
Offline Registration Centres
For those without internet access, offline biometric registration centres are located at:
- Haridwar bus terminal and railway station
- Rishikesh — near the bus stand and main tourist offices
- Rudraprayag — the confluence town en route to Kedarnath
- Joshimath — for Badrinath-bound pilgrims
Biometric data (fingerprint and photo) is collected at offline centres. Carry your original Aadhaar/passport.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Registering without checking temple opening dates — if you register for April 28 and temples open April 30, you cannot proceed
- Name mismatch between registration and ID document — even one character difference causes problems at checkpoints
- Not printing a physical copy — phone batteries die and signal fails; always carry a printed slip
- Registering on unofficial websites and paying unofficial fees
- Forgetting to register family members separately — each pilgrim needs their own registration
Ready to plan your yatra? See our Char Dham Yatra 9N/10D package which includes registration assistance. Also read Char Dham 2026 Opening Dates before you register.