To improve identification and security, the Indian e-passport has been launched, integrating advanced electronic passport technology with the traditional paper passport.
The implementation of the e-passport project has started as part of a pilot initiative along with the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, which went live on April 1, 2024, as indicated by the Ministry of External Affairs.
IN WHICH CITIES E-PASSPORTS BEING ISSUED IN INDIA?
The e-passports are now being distributed in the cities of Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, Ranchi, and Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs has validated that this is only the first phase of the nationwide launch, expected to be rolled out to all Passport Seva Kendras throughout India by mid-2025.
Of special note, e-passport issuing in Tamil Nadu began on March 3, 2025, at Chennai’s Regional Passport Office. Up to March 22, 2025, 20,729 e-passports had already been issued within the state.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT E-PASSPORTS IN INDIA:
The Indian e-Passports contain an antenna as well as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip embedded within an inlay, making it quite identifiable as different from ordinary passports because of a gold-colored symbol that is printed below the front cover.
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is a vital building block that facilitates the development of a solid infrastructure for an e-passport, secures private information, and authenticates the correctness and authenticity of the biometric and personal data saved on the chip.
One of the advantages of the e-passport is enhanced data protection, which prevents tampering of the integrity of the information of the passport owner and counteracts forgery-related risks and crimes such as the fabrication of fake passports during border surveillance.
However, it is important to keep in mind that switching to e-passports is not a prerequisite. All passports issued by the Indian government will remain valid until their respective expiration dates.