e-Passports in India: Key options, advantages, and how you can apply on-line
The federal government has rolled out Indian e-passports to make worldwide journey smoother by permitting automated ID checks at immigration and chopping down wait instances at airports.
As half of a bigger digital improve referred to as Passport Seva Program (PSP) 2.0, the e-Passport was launched on April 1, 2024, in a pilot part, in keeping with ministry of exterior affairs. Up to now, passport workplaces in Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi are geared up to problem the e-passports.
In Tamil Nadu, e-Passports began being issued from March 3, 2025, on the Regional Passport Workplace in Chennai. As per ministry of exterior affairs, by March 22, greater than 20,700 e-Passports had already been issued within the state.
What’s an e-passport?
An e-passport is an everyday passport with added digital options. It features a small chip, often called an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip, and an antenna inside the quilt. This chip shops private and biometric info, comparable to fingerprints and facial particulars. A small gold image on the entrance cowl marks it as an e-passport.
The Authorities of India has launched the e-passport to guard private knowledge and forestall duplication of passport information.
How is e-passport totally different?
Not like conventional passports, the e-passport holds knowledge each in printed type and in a safe sensible chip. Immigration officers all over the world can confirm the chip to make sure the info is real.
The information saved on the chip is protected utilizing a system referred to as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This ensures that delicate private and biometric info is stored protected from tampering or theft.
Why is an e-passport vital?
The primary aim is to guard towards passport fraud. The RFID chip makes it tougher to create pretend or duplicate passports. It additionally makes it simpler and quicker to confirm a traveler’s id at border checks, thus chopping down the wait time considerably.
How will you get an e-passport?
e-Passports are at present being issued at Passport Workplaces in 12 cities: Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi. The federal government plans to increase this service to extra areas quickly.
Do present passport holders want to change?
No. If you have already got a legitimate passport, you don’t want to get an e-passport instantly. Your present passport will keep legitimate till its expiry date.
The e-passport is predicted to make worldwide journey safer and extra environment friendly for Indian residents.
Learn how to apply for an e-Passport in India
Now you can apply for an e-Passport on-line and gather it from choose Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) or Regional Passport Workplaces (RPOs) in cities like Chennai, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and others.
Observe these steps to use for e-passports on-line
- To use, register on the Passport Seva On-line Portal.
- Login utilizing your registered ID.
- Click on on “Apply for Contemporary Passport/Re-issue of Passport.” Select “Contemporary” in the event you’re making use of for a passport kind you’ve by no means held earlier than, or “Reissue” in the event you’ve held the identical kind earlier.
- Pay the charge on-line, and e-book an appointment.
- Print or save your Utility Receipt or just present the SMS affirmation throughout your appointment.
- Go to your chosen PSK or RPO with unique paperwork on the scheduled date.
As soon as processed, your new e-Passport shall be delivered to your registered handle.
