Char Dham e-pass and permits - how to register online (2026)

The Char Dham registration system is one of those government processes that works perfectly well once you understand it, and causes genuine confusion if you do not. I have seen people at the Sonprayag checkpost turned away because their e-pass had the wrong date. I have seen a family of eight get stuck because only the head of the family registered and the system did not list the other seven members.

This guide covers every permit you might need for mountain travel in northern India: the Char Dham e-pass (mandatory for Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri), the Inner Line Permit for Spiti, the Rohtang Pass permit, and the Protected Area Permit for Leh-Ladakh. Each section has the actual steps, the actual website, the actual documents, and the actual problems people run into.

The Char Dham e-pass (mandatory for all four dhams)

Since 2022, every pilgrim visiting any of the four Char Dham temples must register online through the Uttarakhand government portal at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. The registration generates a QR-coded e-pass that is checked at multiple points along each route.

The registration is free. It takes 5 to 10 minutes if your documents are ready. The system is available in Hindi and English.

How the registration actually works

The official registration portal at registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in

Step 1: Go to registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in. Select "New Registration" on the homepage.

Step 2: Select your destination(s). You can register for all four dhams in a single registration. Select the specific dates you plan to visit each temple.

Step 3: Enter personal details for each traveler in your group. Aadhaar number is mandatory for each person. Upload a photo for each traveler.

Step 4: Enter vehicle details if applicable. For shared vehicles or bus travel, you can skip this.

Step 5: Submit and receive OTP on your registered mobile number. Verify the OTP.

Step 6: Download and print your e-pass. You will receive it via SMS and email. Carry a printed copy AND save a digital copy on your phone.

Daily pilgrim caps

Kedarnath has a daily pilgrim cap enforced through the registration system. The cap varies by season but is typically 12,000 to 15,000 per day during peak season. Once a date is full, the portal will not allow registration for that date.

Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri do not have strict daily caps as of 2025, but the registration is still mandatory for tracking purposes.

Weekends in May and June fill up fastest. If you have flexibility, aim for Tuesday through Thursday arrivals.

Spiti Valley - who actually needs a permit

The Spiti Valley falls under the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system because parts of it are close to the Indo-Tibetan border. Indian citizens need an ILP to travel beyond Sumdo on the Spiti circuit. The permit is free for Indian nationals.

Apply online through the Himachal Pradesh government portal. Processing takes 1 to 3 days. The permit is valid for 7 days and can be extended at the SDM office in Kaza.

Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) which must be applied for in groups of 2 or more through a registered travel agent.

Rohtang Pass permit

The Atal Tunnel has replaced the surface road for most vehicles, but if you are crossing Rohtang Pass on the surface road (motorcycles, adventure vehicles), you need a permit from the SDM Manali office.

Permits are available online at admis.hp.nic.in. Cost: Rs 100 for Indian vehicles, Rs 500 for commercial vehicles. Daily vehicle cap: approximately 1,000 vehicles per day.

The Atal Tunnel itself does not require a separate permit for regular vehicles.

Leh-Ladakh Protected Area Permits

Since Ladakh became a Union Territory, the permit system has simplified. Indian tourists need a PAP for Nubra Valley (Khardung La), Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri, Hanle, and other areas near the Line of Actual Control.

Apply online at laikiangpermit.in. Cost: Rs 600 per person for the environmental fee. Processing: usually same-day if applied before noon. The permit is checked at Khardung La checkpoint and at the entry to Pangong road.

Permit comparison table

Common rejection reasons

Print your e-pass - phone signal is weak at most checkpoints

Date mismatch: Your e-pass date does not match your actual travel date. The checkpost will not let you through. Solution: register for the correct date or re-register if plans change.

Wrong Aadhaar number: A single digit wrong means the pass is invalid. Triple-check before submitting.

Daily cap reached: Peak season dates fill up. Register early or adjust your date by 1 to 2 days.

Medical flagging: The system asks basic health questions. Declaring certain conditions may trigger additional requirements.

Documents to carry for each route