India drops boarding pass stamping for international flyers

"The matter has been examined by the BOI and it has now been decided to do away with the mandatory requirement of physical boarding passes and the stamping of boarding passes at immigration counters at all international airports in the country," the officials said, quoting the directive.

Physical boarding passes will still be accepted, the officials said. They just will not be stamped from September 1.

Security officials added that the Central Industrial Security Force already stopped stamping boarding passes during frisking for both domestic and international passengers years ago. Passengers were only supposed to produce the pass for immigration clearance.

The officials said a pilot project to eliminate stamping of immigration entry and exit for Indian passport holders is also planned. The measure is expected to roll out across Indian airports after the pilot completes.