India Rolls Out RFID Chip-Based E-Passports; Features, Benefits & All You Need To Know About It

Combining cutting-edge electronic passport technology with conventional paper passports, India has officially launched the much-anticipated e-passports. The RFID chip-based biometric Indian e-passports will help reduce issues like fraud and identity theft and make travel more secure and convenient.

All About Indian E-Passports

India has now joined the list of over 120 nations—including the United States, Canada, France, Italy, and Japan—by adopting chip-based biometric e-passports. In a bid to enhance identification and security, Indian authorities launched a pilot initiative along with the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0 for the implementation of the e-passport project. The project went live on April 1, 2024

According to India Today, Indian e-passports will strengthen border security, reduce identity fraud, and speed up immigration procedures for Indian citizens. These special passports contain an antenna as well as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip embedded within an inlay. Also, a gold-coloured symbol will be printed below the front cover. This will make Indian e-passports distinguishable from ordinary passports.

The chip in the e-passport will securely store the holder’s biometric and personal data. This includes facial images, fingerprints, name, date of birth, and passport number. The important data will be encrypted and protected under international security protocols such as Basic Access Control (BAC), Passive Authentication (PA), and Extended Access Control (EAC).

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Benefits Of E-Passports & How To Apply

Here are some benefits of Indian e-passports –

1. The key benefit of the Indian e-passport is improved data security. These passports will ensure the protection of the integrity of the passport holder’s information.
2. It will mitigate risks associated with forgery and fraud as replicating biometrics is difficult.
3. Will make travel seamless and secure.
4. It will improve reliability and efficiency during international travel.

Applying for e-passports is quite easy and user-friendly. You can apply for this passport via the Passport Seva Portal. All you have to do is book an appointment at the local Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra, provide biometric data during their visit, and follow other usual instructions as you do while applying for a regular passport.

Where Are These Passports Being Issued?

As per reports, regional Passport Offices in Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi are currently issuing e-passports to Indian citizens. Authorities soon plan to expand this facility in other cities as well.

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Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)