Why the Mandate Is Back
The return of the Air Suvidha form is a precautionary measure driven by global health concerns. Indian health authorities have brought back the requirement in response to an Ebola virus disease outbreak identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo and
Uganda. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May 2026. The Air Suvidha portal, now upgraded to version 2.0, is designed to help officials monitor arriving passengers, identify those who may require additional health screening, and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This is not a response to an outbreak within India, but rather a proactive step to enhance surveillance at all international entry points.
Who Needs to Fill the Form?
The mandate is universal and applies to every single passenger arriving in India via air, with no exceptions based on nationality or travel history. This includes Indian passport holders, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, and foreign nationals. Whether you are a tourist, a business traveller, or an Indian citizen returning home, you must complete the self-declaration form before your journey. The Bureau of Immigration has stressed that the form is not optional. Even if your travel does not originate from or pass through an Ebola-affected country, submission is still compulsory.
How to Complete the Air Suvidha Form
The Air Suvidha form must be filled out online through the official government portal. Travellers are advised to complete it before starting their journey, preferably during web check-in, to avoid any delays upon arrival. The form can be submitted up to 72 hours before arrival in India, but some advisories recommend filling it within 24 hours of arrival. You will need several key pieces of information: your passport details, flight number, first airport of entry in India, and your full address of stay. A crucial part of the form is declaring your travel history for the previous 21 days, including any transit stops. Finally, you will need to answer health-related questions about potential exposure to Ebola and symptoms like fever or bleeding.
What to Expect at the Airport
After submitting the form, you will receive an acknowledgement that you should download and keep accessible, either as a digital copy or a printout. Upon landing in India, you may be asked to show this acknowledgement at the International Travel Health Desk. The information you provide is shared in real_time with Airport Health Officers, the Bureau of Immigration, and state disease surveillance teams. This allows authorities to streamline the screening process and quickly identify any passenger who might need further medical assessment based on their travel history or declared health status. It is important to note that the Air Suvidha declaration is a health formality and does not replace immigration checks or visa requirements.
