India introduces e-passport; here’s everything you need to know

Everyone remembers the time they spent fumbling for their flimsy paper boarding passes or waiting in a long, exhausting airport queue. However, today, the digital revolution is slowly transforming how we journey across borders, and technology is truly embedded within every step of our travels.

Those familiar with DigiYatra know how it has already revolutionised the airport experience, allowing travellers to breeze through terminals with facial recognition and digital boarding passes. Now, the introduction of e-passports marks another milestone in India’s digital transformation journey.

Indian citizens now have the option of applying for an e-passport that is aimed at securing the integrity and restricting duplication of the passport holder’s data. Wondering how this works? Check out our detailed explanation below.

What is an e-passport, and how is it different?

To the unaware, an e-passport will typically appear similar to a traditional passport. That said, it actually combines the traditional paper passport with advanced electronic features, and also incorporates a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip as well as an antenna. These are usually embedded within an inlay on your passport and can be identified with a gold symbol on the front cover.

The passport is developed on the basis of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which makes for a vital building block, or a backbone, of the document. It is said to secure private information, verify correctness, and authenticate biometric or personal data that is saved within the chipset.

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A traditional passport, on the other hand, does not feature this addition, making it susceptible to forgery or crime. Apart from this, e-passport also supports automated gates, and like DigiYatra, it helps speed up exit and entry processes before your flights. However, despite this, it isn’t mandatory to get yourself an e-passport, and all Indian passports will be considered valid until their expiration date.

Who is eligible for an e-passport?

Currently, only the following Regional Passport Offices are equipped to give out e-passports; these include Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has further stated that this only remains to be a pilot project and a more comprehensive roll-out will follow suit.

According to the statement, more Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) across the country will likely be issuing e-passports to citizens by mid-2025.

How to apply for an e-passport

To apply for an e-passport, you will have to follow a few simple steps. Check them out here:

Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva Online portal

Step 2: Log in with your registered email ID. If you don’t have one, follow the instructions to get yourself registered online

Step 3: Once logged in, you will be able to see Apply for Fresh Passport or Re-issue Passport

Step 4: You will then be led to an online application form; fill and submit it on the portal

Once done, you will have to provide your photograph and biometric details (such as fingerprints) at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO). If you found this information helpful, make sure you follow Unboxed by Croma for more.