India has fully launched its new e-passport system under the Passport Seva Programme V2.0.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that all newly issued passports will now be e-passports that carry embedded microchips and upgraded security elements aimed at preventing identity fraud and enabling quicker checks at airports.
According to Passport Seva, an ePassport is a physical passport combined with an electronic component. It contains a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an antenna inserted into the passport’s inlay. This chip stores the holder’s personal details and biometric data. The new passport can be recognised by a small gold-coloured symbol printed below the front cover.
Existing passports will remain valid until they expire. They will continue to be accepted in India and abroad.
Travellers do not need to replace their current passports immediately.
However, anyone applying for a new passport or a renewal will receive the e-passport version.
The issuance of e-passports will depend on the technical readiness of each Passport Office. The rollout will happen in phases and may take a few months to cover all offices across the country, according to Passport Seva.
The e-passports support biometric verification at automated e-gates, helping speed up immigration procedures at select international airports. The Indian Security Press in Nashik will continue to print these passports, following global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The programme aims to strengthen security and simplify travel processes. It is expected to reduce manual verification, streamline immigration checks, and improve data integration for law enforcement and border agencies.
A major advantage of the e-passport is its stronger protection of personal information. The data will appear both in printed form in the booklet and as a digitally signed record on the chip. Immigration authorities worldwide can securely verify it, which helps prevent forgery and fraudulent activities such as fake passports, while confirming authenticity at border controls.
The system is supported by Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This technology is central to protecting sensitive data and confirming the accuracy and origin of the personal and biometric information stored in the chip.