The BRICS TimesThe India e-Passport looks like the old one with pages, but its cover holds a small electronic chip. This chip keeps the holder’s details digitally safe and secure.
Introduction to the Rollout
The Indian government has started rolling out e-passports nationwide. These passports have advanced security features. The new India e-Passport is much more advanced than the old version. It includes an RFID chip and encrypted biometrics. It also has other security features. This makes verification at immigration counters very fast. It also makes creating fake passports almost impossible.
Rules for New and Old Passports
The Ministry of External Affairs states all new passports will be e-passports. However, existing non-electronic passports remain valid until they expire. If you renewed or got a new passport on or after May 28, 2025, it is an e-passport.
How Does the e-Passport Work?
The India e-Passport looks just like the old booklet. It has pages exactly like the previous version. However, a small electronic chip sits inside the back cover. This chip digitally stores the holder’s name, photo, and fingerprints. It also holds other personal details safely. Machines at any global airport can read this chip in one second. The data has a digital signature that no one can change.
Stopping Fraud and Saving Time
Machines will instantly catch anyone trying to make a fake passport. Current passports have all details written on them. Checking current passports takes a lot of time during immigration. The new passports make this process very easy. Travelers currently face long lines during checks. With the India e-Passport, wait times will drop. Entry and exit will become much smoother for all travelers.
What About Existing Passport Holders?
Many people worry about their valid old passports. The government has cleared this doubt. Your old passport is fully valid until its expiry date. You will get an e-passport only when you go to renew it yourself. There is no need to replace your old passport immediately. This facility started in a few cities earlier. Now, it applies to the whole country. Passport offices will issue only e-passports in the coming months. The government is working fast to avoid any inconvenience.
Issuance Statistics and Infrastructure
The Ministry says India has issued 8 million e-passports so far. Indian missions abroad have issued over 60,000 e-passports. The Ministry is opening centers in every Lok Sabha constituency. 511 centers are already open. Work is on to open centers in the remaining 32 constituencies. The Passport Seva Program Version 2.0 started in May 2025. It powers 37 regional offices and nearly 550 centers. The global version, GPSP V2.0, launched on October 28, 2025. This system uses AI chatbots and integrates with DigiLocker.
