E-Passport in India: What It Is, Who Can Apply and How the New System Works
India’s rollout of the e-passport under the Passport Seva Programme aims to modernise travel documents with stronger security and faster verification. All newly issued passports now come chip-enabled by default, while existing passports continue to remain valid until they expire. Here is a clear photogallery style breakdown of what the new e-passport means for travellers.
E-Passport Brings a Major Upgrade to India’s Passport System The government has introduced chip-enabled passports to improve security, streamline identity checks and reduce the chances of tampering or misuse.
A Hybrid Passport with Paper and Electronic Elements The e-passport embeds an RFID chip and antenna that securely store the holder’s personal data according to ICAO global standards while retaining the familiar booklet format.
Your Data Is Stored Both Physically and Electronically Information printed on the data page is also written to the chip, helping authorities authenticate the passport more accurately and quickly at immigration counters.
All New Passports Will Now Be E-Passports Anyone applying in India or abroad will automatically receive a chip-enabled passport. Older non-electronic passports remain valid until their original expiry date.
Eligibility Remains the Same as Regular Passports Any Indian citizen eligible for a standard passport can apply for an e-passport. There are no additional requirements or special categories.
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Book an Appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra Once payment is complete, applicants need to select a convenient Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office PSK based on availability.
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Biometric Capture Happens During the Visit Fingerprints and a photograph are taken during the appointment. These biometric details are later embedded securely into the e-passport chip for verification.
