Dehradun, February 18, 2026: In a historic move to make the upcoming Char Dham Yatra more organized and transparent, the Uttarakhand government has decided to implement a change. The online registration process, which has been free until now, will require devotees to pay a nominal registration fee starting this year.
According to Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, a large number of 'fake registrations' and 'no-shows' (people who register but do not show up) were reported over the past few years. Individuals would often book slots for multiple dates simultaneously and fail to arrive, preventing genuine devotees from securing a spot.
The Objective: The primary goal of this nominal fee is not to generate revenue, but to ensure the data of serious and genuine pilgrims only.
Proposed Fee: Currently, a fee ranging between ₹10 and ₹50 is under consideration. A special committee has been formed to take the final call.
Following the announcement of the opening date for Kedarnath Dham on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, the schedule for all four Dhams is now clear:
According to the administration, the online registration process is expected to begin by the end of March or the first week of April. Devotees are advised to book their slots only through the official website: registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in.
Beware of Fake Websites: Use only the official government portal for registration to avoid scams.
Be Prepared: You will need your Aadhar Card and a valid mobile number at the time of registration.
Fee Payment: The fee can be paid only through online modes, such as UPI or Credit/Debit Cards.