Synopsis: E-passports are now available in India. They come with an RFID chip that stores biometric and personal details, making travel safer and faster. The application process is almost the same as a regular passport.
Travel smarter with India’s e-passport.
India has started rolling out e-passports. This is part of a pilot project by the Ministry of External Affairs from April 1,
2024. For now, they are available at a few passport offices, but the service
will soon expand across the country. An e-passport can be identified by the
small gold symbol on its cover.
Different from the regular passport, the e-passport
comes with a microchip that stores personal as well as biometric details. This
makes it safer, harder to forge, and faster to use while traveling abroad.
Main
Features
* Chip embedded on the cover page
* Stores fingerprints, photo, and iris scan
* Holds personal details like name, date of birth, and passport number
* Contactless and encrypted for security
* Matches international (ICAO) standards
Benefits
Travel becomes quicker with e-gates. Security
improves because biometric data is difficult to copy. Since it follows global
standards, it works abroad without issues.
Steps
to Apply
1. Go to the Passport Seva Portal
2. Sign up or log in, and fill out the e-passport form
3. Choose your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or
Post Office PSK
4. Pay the fee online
5. Book an appointment and visit the center with
your documents
Additional
Advantages of E-Passports
1. Global
Usage: Over 120 countries, including the
USA, UK, Singapore, and Germany, already use e-passports, making India part of
a global system.
2. Security
Advantage: The RFID chip is digitally
signed and encrypted, which makes it nearly impossible to tamper with or clone.
3. Faster
Immigration: E-passports can be scanned
at automated e-gates in international airports, reducing waiting time.
4. Data
Protection: Personal and biometric
details stored on the chip are protected by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI),
which prevents unauthorized access.
5. Fraud
Prevention: Reduces the chances of fake
passports and identity theft since biometric matching is required.
6. Convenience
for Travelers: With global
compatibility, travelers can expect smoother entry into foreign countries
without extra verification delays.
Future
Rollout in India: The government plans
to expand availability to all Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office PSKs
in phases.
Integration
with Digital Platforms: In the future,
e-passports may link with services like DigiLocker for easier document
verification.
Durability:
The polycarbonate data page and embedded
chip make the e-passport more durable compared to traditional passports.
