Taking a major step towards modernising the passport system, the Indian government has started rolling out e-passports, a modern version that integrates advanced electronic passport technology with the traditional paper passport.
The new passports are part of a pilot programme under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0, which officially kicked off on April 1, 2024, per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The e-passports are currently being issued in select cities across the country, and the rollout will be expanded nationwide in the coming months.
E-passports are currently being issued in 13 cities across India as part of the initial rollout phase. These include Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, Ranchi and Delhi. The nationwide rollout is expected to extend to all Passport Seva Kendras by mid-2025.
In fact, India has been planning the introduction of e-passports since as far back as 2022. Read our report here.
An e-passport is a combined paper and electronic passport with a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip and an antenna embedded in it that contains the personal particulars and biometric information of the passport holder. The e-passport will be visually identifiable because of a gold symbol printed below the passport's front cover.
Biometric e-passports have become the global standard for secure and seamless international travel. With an embedded chip that enables real-time identity authentication, these passports allow for automated, contactless immigration checks at e-gates. This results in shorter queues, faster clearance and a far more convenient experience for travellers.
Beyond speed and convenience, e-passports also significantly improve data protection. They minimise the chances of identity theft, forgery and fake passport incidents during border checks.
By introducing this technology, India is aligning itself with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, placing its citizens on an equal footing with travellers from countries that already use such high-security documents.
No. All passports issued by the government of India will continue to remain valid till their expiry date. Citizens applying for new passports may still receive a non-e-passport as the phased rollout of e-passports may take a few months.
Applying for an e-passport is straightforward and follows the same steps as applying for a regular passport. Start by visiting the Passport Seva website, filling in the required details, paying the applicable fees and booking an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra. Biometric data such as your photograph and fingerprints will be collected during your appointment.
More than 120 countries issue e-passports. They include:
Argentina
Australia
Bangladesh
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
France
Germany
Indonesia
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Malaysia
Mexico
Nepal
New Zealand
Nigeria
Pakistan
Peru
Russia
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
South Africa
South Korea
The United Kingdom
The United States of America
Ukraine
(With inputs from multiple news sources)