Dubai: India has officially rolled out e-passports, marking a significant technological upgrade to traditional travel documents. Designed to enhance security and streamline immigration processes, e-passports are now available in select cities and will be introduced nationwide by the end of 2025, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
What is an E-Passport?
An e-passport is a conventional passport booklet embedded with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and antenna inside the back cover. The chip securely stores the holder’s personal and biometric data, including photographs and fingerprints, enabling faster and more reliable identity verification at immigration checkpoints.
Launched under the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0 on April 1, 2024, the e-passport initiative reflects India’s push toward digitized, secure public services.
How to Identify an E-Passport
E-passports feature a small gold-colored symbol on the front cover, indicating the presence of the embedded RFID chip.
Key Benefits of E-Passports
- Enhanced Security: Equipped with Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology to prevent tampering, forgery, and identity theft.
- Faster Immigration Clearance: Enables use of automated e-gates for quicker processing.
- Global Compliance: Adheres to international standards, facilitating smoother travel and easier verification by global authorities.
Why It Matters for Travellers
E-passports combine printed and digitally signed data, making them harder to forge. Travellers can benefit from faster processing at international airports, especially those supporting biometric e-gates.
How to Apply for an E-Passport
The application process is the same as for a regular passport:
- Register on the Passport Seva Portal.
- Log in using your credentials.
- Choose Application Type: Select “Apply for Fresh Passport” or “Re-issue of Passport.”
- Complete the Application: Fill in the form and upload required details.
- Pay Online: Make the payment and schedule an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).
- Visit the Center: Submit original documents and provide biometrics.
- Receive E-Passport: After processing, the e-passport will be delivered to your registered address.
What About Traditional Passports?
The MEA has clarified that switching to an e-passport is not mandatory. Existing passports remain valid until their expiry, and the transition will be gradual and voluntary.
Where Are E-Passports Currently Available?
E-passports are presently issued at select regional passport offices, including Jammu, Goa, Nagpur, Shimla, Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Ranchi, Surat, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Amritsar, and Raipur. Nationwide rollout is planned by the end of 2025.
Looking Ahead
The e-passport initiative is a major step toward creating a secure, tech-enabled passport system for Indian citizens. As the program expands, it is expected to enhance international travel convenience and strengthen digital public services under India’s broader Vision for Digital India.
Global Context
India joins a growing list of countries adopting e-passports, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Germany, France, Brazil, and Australia—underscoring a global shift toward secure and efficient travel documentation.
