Kamal Ghorui
One of the biggest religious pilgrimage tours undertaken in India is the Amarnath Yatra, and thousands of devotees undertake the journey to witness the holy shrine of Amarnath. The scheduled dates for this tour in 2026 are from July 3 to August 9, spanning over a period of 38 days. As per the rules prescribed by the authorities, all the participants need to undergo the process of registration that will be undertaken from April 15, 2026.The Amarnath Yatra is organized by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, and strict eligibility conditions are followed during the tour.
Registration process: Online and offline options
Yatris willing to embark on the Yatra have two options available for registration, either online through the SASB website or via the mobile application “Shri Amarnathji Yatra” or offline through designated bank branches.
Online registration
The online registration process is expected to begin from April 15, 2026. The OTP verification process will be mandatory, which will require the mobile phone number and email address. Moreover, pilgrims will be expected to upload the scanned version of the Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) issued from or after April 8, 2026, along with a passport size photo.
Amarnath Yatra official announcement
Offline registration via bank branches
In case pilgrims choose to register in person, they will have to start the procedure from April 15, 2026, in the selected bank branches. Registration will be done on a first come, first served basis.Pilgrims are required to approach the authorised bank branches with the help of their CHC card, which is to be issued by an authorised physician, together with an identity document like Aadhaar. Biometric authentication of the individual will take place instantly using the eKYC system in the bank branches. The registration fee remains INR 150 per person.
RFID Card mandatory for entry
One of the major requirements for the Amarnath Yatra 2026 would be the use of the mandatory RFID card. Upon registering themselves for the yatra, all the yatris have to pick up the RFID card from specified centres located in Jammu and Kashmir after the eKYC biometric verification process. If one does not have an RFID card, then one cannot cross the gate point of Domail or Chandanwari.
Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir
Eligibility criteria and health requirements
The criteria for being eligible to participate in the Yatra have remained the same. Only those people whose age is from 13 to 70 years can register themselves. Pregnant women who have completed more than six weeks cannot take part in the Yatra.It is necessary for each candidate to have a compulsory health certificate (CHC), which should be provided by an authorized doctor or clinic, mentioned on the SASB website.
Routes and travel options
The Amarnath Yatra can be undertaken via two main routes:
- The Pahalgam route, which is the traditional path, covers approximately 46 kilometres (one way) and is preferred by those seeking a gradual ascent.
- The Baltal route, a shorter but steeper option, spans around 14 kilometres (one way) and is often chosen for quicker access.
Helicopter facilities are available from both Pahalgam and Baltal to Panchtarni for the convenience of those who cannot walk their way throughout the journey.
Facilities and safety and weather warning
For the benefit of the yatris, facilities like tents, lodging houses, and even government facilities are made available at different stopping places along the route. Moreover, there are certain security measures and SOPs that need to be followed by all yatris. Since the climate here is difficult and tough, it is advisable to be well-prepared in terms of clothes and physical stamina.
