Indian E-passport: India has formally begun implementing e-passports, which combine modern electronic technology with traditional passport design to improve identification and security for foreign visitors. The initiative represents a major change in the way Indian passports are issued and verified, and was introduced as part of the updated Passport Seva Program (PSP) version 2.0, which began on April 1, 2024.

Nagpur, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Goa, Jammu, Amritsar, Shimla, Jaipur, Chennai, Surat, Hyderabad and Ranchi are among the cities in the country where the e-passport pilot project is currently underway. Plans are underway to expand the service across the country. On March 3, 2025, the Regional Passport Office in Chennai launched it in Tamil Nadu. As of March 22, 2025, 20,729 e-passports had been issued in the state alone.

• An Indian e-passport has an antenna and a small radio frequency identification (RFID) chip embedded in its cover.
• This chip stores biometric and personal information of the passport holder, ensuring better security and faster verification.
• To identify an e-passport just look for the unique golden coloured symbol printed at the bottom of the front cover.
• At the core of this innovation is the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), a complex encryption system that protects sensitive data on the chip and verifies that it has not been altered.
• This includes better protection against passport fraud, identity theft, and forgery, which is important when crossing borders.

• Not always. The government has said existing passports will remain valid until they expire. For now, switching to an electronic passport is voluntary.
• India's adoption of e-passport reflects a progressive approach towards citizen services as international travel becomes more tech-driven and security-focused.
• It's not just about speeding up immigration lines, but about protecting identities in the digital world.
• How to Apply for e-Passport in India In cities like Nagpur, Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad and others, citizens can now apply for e-passport online.
• It can be obtained from Specialised Passport Seva Kendras (PSKS) or Regional Passport Offices (RPOS).

• Register on the Passport Seva Online portal to apply.
• Now you need to log in using your registered ID.
• Select "Apply for New Passport/Re-issue of Passport." If you are applying for a type of passport you did not have before, select "New."
• first, or "re-issue" if you already have the same type of ownership. Make an appointment online and pay the fee.
• During your appointment, you can either print or save your application receipt or simply submit the SMS confirmation.
• On the due date, bring the original documents to your chosen PSK or RPO.

PC:Nai Dunia