Registration is compulsory for the Char Dham Yatra, it is free, and it happens on one official portal: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, run by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board. The output is a Yatra Registration Letter with a QR code, verified at checkpoints on the route. The portal also hosts a separate health registration (eswasthyadham.uk.gov.in) — new weight in 2026, when mandatory health screening entered the protocol. Checked 01 October 2026.
| Fact | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Portal | registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in (UTDB) | Verified — official source |
| Fee | Free (“a free exercise” — portal) | Verified — official source |
| Output | Yatra Registration Letter with QR code | Verified — official source |
| Health registration | eswasthyadham.uk.gov.in; helpline 1364 | Verified — official source |
| IDs accepted | Aadhaar/voter ID/passport/DL/PAN + mobile | Reported |
| Counters | Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot, Sonprayag, Pandukeshwar | Verified — official source |
| 2027 opening | Not yet announced (2026 pattern: ~March) | Awaited |
How to register
- Open the official portal — registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Alternatives: the Tourist Care app, WhatsApp channels, and physical counters (listed at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Barkot, Sonprayag, Pandukeshwar).
- Create an account with your mobile number.
- Enter tour and pilgrim details — one ID document per pilgrim (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, driving licence and PAN are reported as accepted) plus mobile numbers.
- Download the Yatra Registration Letter — QR-coded; print it or keep it phone-accessible.
- Verify at checkpoints — Barkot, Janki Chatti, Sonprayag and Pandukeshwar appear on the portal’s list; carry the letter.
- Driving? Vehicle registration is a separate step on transport.uk.gov.in.
The 2027 question
Registration for 2027 is not open yet (as of 1 October 2026). Reference point: 2026 registration opened around early-to-mid March — sources conflict on the exact day — roughly one to two months before the gates opened. Expect a similar window; we’ll flag the opening on Yatra Alerts the day the portal announces it.
What is NOT confirmed
- Biometric checks: third-party guides describe biometric cards and GPS-monitored e-passes at checkpoints; the official portal pages we fetched mention QR-letter verification and tokens, not biometrics. We present the official version and flag the rest as unconfirmed.
- Screening specifics: the health-advisory PDFs exist on health.uk.gov.in (updated April 2026); their detailed requirements deserve a page of their own (see the altitude-health guide).
Frequently asked questions
Is registration free?
Yes — official portal statement, checked 1 October 2026.
When does 2027 registration open?
Not announced; expect around March 2027 by the 2026 pattern. Watch the portal.
Do children need registration?
The portal’s family registration covers all pilgrims including minors — add every traveller.
I lost my registration letter — what now?
Re-download from the portal account; checkpoint verification needs the QR letter.
