Srinagar, April 9: The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has announced that advance registration for the annual Amarnath Yatra will begin on April 15 through a network of 554 designated bank branches nationwide. For the 2026 season, the board is implementing a real-time registration process utilizing biometric eKYC authentication to streamline the issuance of permits.
Under the newly issued guidelines, yatra permits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with daily quotas established for both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. Pilgrims must fall within the age bracket of 13 to 70 years to be eligible. Officials noted that women who are more than six weeks pregnant are restricted from the journey, regardless of whether they hold a medical clearance.
To secure a permit, applicants are required to present a Compulsory Health Certificate issued by an authorized medical professional on or after April 8, 2026. “The designated bank branches will verify the validity of the health certificate before generating the system-based permit,” the board stated in its procedural release. The registration fee has been set at Rs 150 per person, and the board has published a comprehensive list of authorized doctors across 37 states and union territories.
While the primary registration method relies on digital authentication, a manual fallback option involving webcam photo capture is available in the event of technical difficulties. Shrine Board representatives affirmed that registration for any specific date will conclude seven days in advance. Pilgrims are advised to verify their mobile and identification details carefully during the process to ensure a seamless application.
