Overview
Since 2019, the Uttarakhand government has made tourist registration mandatory for all Char Dham Yatra pilgrims, including Badrinath. Registration is handled at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in — it is completely free and takes 5–10 minutes online. Without a valid registration slip, you will be turned back at highway check posts before reaching Badrinath.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration website | registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in |
| Fee | Free (no charge) |
| Mandatory? | Yes — for all pilgrims |
| Opens | Late April 2026 (at temple opening) |
| ID required | Aadhaar / Voter ID / Passport / Driving Licence |
| Time to register | 5–10 minutes |
| Registration slip | PDF with unique QR code — print or save on phone |
| Check posts | Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Joshimath |
| Group registration | One registration covers entire group (up to 10 persons) |
Planning
Step-by-step Badrinath registration 2026:
- Open the website: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in (also accessible via the Uttarakhand Tourism official website at uttarakhandtourism.gov.in).
- Select "Char Dham Yatra Registration 2026" from the main menu.
- Enter mobile number — you will receive an OTP for verification. Use the same mobile number you will carry during the Yatra (check posts may call it).
- Fill the registration form: Full name, age, gender, address, ID type and number (Aadhaar/voter ID etc.), emergency contact (name + phone), number of persons in group, Yatra destination (select Badrinath), travel dates (approximate).
- Upload photo: A recent passport-size photo or mobile selfie (JPG, under 2 MB). This is used at biometric check posts.
- Submit and verify: Complete OTP + Aadhaar OTP (if linking Aadhaar) verification.
- Download slip: A PDF registration slip with a unique registration number and QR code is generated. Save to your phone + print a copy as backup.
- Show at check posts: Present the slip (digital or printed) at every Char Dham highway check post. The slip is scanned and your passage is logged.
Check posts on the Badrinath highway:
The Uttarakhand Tourism and disaster management teams operate check posts at several locations on NH7 (Rishikesh–Badrinath highway):
- Haridwar (near Har Ki Pauri / Ranipur check post)
- Rishikesh (near Laxman Jhula / Triveni Ghat check post)
- Srinagar (Pauri Garhwal district)
- Rudraprayag junction (bifurcation for Kedarnath and Badrinath)
- Joshimath (last major check post before Badrinath)
Your registration QR code is scanned at each check post — this creates a tracking trail used by SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) in case of cloudbursts, landslides or missing pilgrim incidents.
Daily pilgrim cap (when in effect):
On peak days (particularly May–June), the Uttarakhand government may impose a daily pilgrim cap for Badrinath to prevent overcrowding. In 2024, the cap was ~15,000–20,000 pilgrims per day for Badrinath. When the daily cap is reached, check posts stop additional vehicles. Registration does not guarantee entry on a specific date — it grants permission for the Yatra within your stated travel window. To avoid being turned back: choose September (no cap in force), or travel on weekdays (lower demand), or start from Rishikesh before 6:00 AM.
Travel Tips
- Register before leaving home — not at the check post: Online registration can theoretically be done at the check post on a mobile device, but doing so under pressure with a queue of vehicles behind you is stressful. Register from home 2–3 days before departure. Takes 5 minutes.
- Save the PDF slip to your phone offline: Connectivity on the Badrinath highway (especially between Srinagar and Joshimath) can be intermittent. Download and save the registration PDF offline before you leave Haridwar/Rishikesh — do not rely on a website link at the check post.
- One registration for the whole group: A group travelling together (family, friends) can be covered under a single registration — list all group members' names and ID numbers in the form. The slip is valid for the whole group. The group leader's ID is typically checked at the check post.
- Medical fitness certificate (advisory): The Uttarakhand government strongly advises pilgrims above 50 or with health conditions to carry a fitness certificate from a registered doctor. This is advisory, not compulsory — but check posts may request it from visibly elderly or infirm pilgrims during high-footfall periods.
Accommodation
- Registration is required before accommodation check-in in Joshimath/Badrinath: GMVN and many official guesthouses in Joshimath and Badrinath verify your registration slip at check-in — not just the check posts. Have the slip ready on your phone.
- Tour package registration: If travelling on a package tour, your tour operator handles registration on your behalf. Verify with them that registration is included and obtain a copy of the registration slip before departure. See tour packages guide.
FAQs
- Is Badrinath registration mandatory in 2026?
- Yes — mandatory and free. Register at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in before starting your Yatra. Without a registration slip (QR code), you will be turned back at check posts on the Badrinath highway (Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Joshimath). Takes 5–10 minutes online.
- How to register for Badrinath Yatra 2026 online?
- Visit registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in → Char Dham Yatra Registration 2026 → fill name, mobile (OTP), ID number, travel dates, upload photo → download PDF slip with QR code. Show at all highway check posts. Register at least 1–2 days before departure. Covers entire group (up to 10 persons) under one registration.
- What documents are needed for Badrinath registration?
- Any one government-issued photo ID: Aadhaar (preferred) OR Voter ID OR Passport OR Driving Licence. A selfie/photo for biometric. Emergency contact details. Original ID must be carried during the Yatra for physical check post verification. Foreign nationals: passport + visa + registration via IATO-registered tour operator.