TL;DR : India has started issuing new e-passports with an RFID chip, advanced security features, and faster biometric checks. Over 80 lakh have already been issued, and all passports will become e-passports by 2035. Existing passports stay valid until they expire.
What Happened
- India is issuing next-generation e-passports under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0 (PSP V2.0), fully rolled out nationwide in May 2025.
- More than 80 lakh e-passports have been issued in India and over 60,000 by missions abroad.
- All new passports will be e-passports; older passports remain valid until expiry.
- The government plans to complete the full transition to e-passports by June 2035.
Key Security Features
- E-passports include an embedded RFID chip storing encrypted biometric data (photo, fingerprints, iris scans).
- Security protocols include Basic Access Control (BAC), Passive Authentication (PA), and Extended Access Control (EAC).
- Additional anti-forgery elements include interlocking microletters and relief tints.
- Biometric data is checked against a central server to flag duplicate or fraudulent applications.
Digital Upgrades in Passport Seva Programme 2.0
- PSP V2.0 includes AI chat and voice bots, online uploads, auto-filled forms, and UPI/QR payments.
- Integrated with DigiLocker, Aadhaar, and PAN for document verification.
- Features include RPA for document checks, electronic signature pads, and real-time dashboards.
- Supported by three secure data centres in Noida, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
Benefits for Travelers
- Contactless RFID reading enables faster immigration checks and supports automated e-gates.
- Strong encryption reduces fraud, tampering, and misuse.
- No extra cost; fees remain the same as regular passports.
Other Passport Rule Changes (2025)
- Birth certificate mandatory for applicants born on or after October 1, 2023.
- Residential address and parents’ names removed from the passport for privacy; replaced with a barcode.
- Color coding continues: blue (ordinary), red (diplomatic), white (official).
- Expansion of Passport Seva Kendras, aiming for 600 POPSKs by 2030.
Availability and Application
- Citizens can apply online through the Passport Seva Portal or visit a PSK/POPSK for biometrics.
- E-passports are already issued in multiple cities across India, including major metros and regional centers.