India has reinstated its Air Suvidha health declaration system for all international passengers arriving in the country, introducing a mandatory pre-arrival health screening measure aimed at strengthening disease surveillance at airports amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.

Launched jointly by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), the upgraded Air Suvidha 2.0 portal enables travellers to submit a fully digital and paperless Self-Declaration Form (SDF) before their arrival in India.

Under the new protocol, all international passengers travelling to India are required to complete the online health declaration within 24 hours before the start of their journey, preferably during web check-in, to facilitate faster immigration and health clearance upon arrival. Authorities have advised travellers to download the acknowledgement after submission and keep it readily available for inspection at the International Travel Health Desk or immigration counters, if required.

The self-declaration form seeks information on the passenger’s personal and passport details, flight information, recent 21-day travel history, any travel to Ebola-affected regions, possible exposure to infected individuals, and symptoms such as fever, body aches or unexplained bleeding. The digital platform allows health authorities to identify and respond quickly to travellers who may require further medical screening.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the upgraded portal has been developed in collaboration with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and enables real-time coordination among airport health officials, immigration authorities and state surveillance agencies. The system is designed to enhance public health preparedness while ensuring a seamless, contactless arrival process without the need for physical paperwork.

The reintroduction of Air Suvidha follows heightened global health surveillance after the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Indian authorities have emphasized that the measure is precautionary and intended to safeguard public health while facilitating safe international travel.

With thousands of passengers travelling daily between Kuwait and India, the advisory is particularly relevant for the large Indian expatriate community in Kuwait. Travellers are urged to complete the mandatory declaration well before departure to avoid delays during boarding or upon arrival in India.

 

 

The Air Suvidha 2.0 portal can be accessed through the official website at https://airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in, where passengers can submit their health declaration free of charge before travelling. (airsuvidha.civilaviation.gov.in)