India Launches E-Passports: How To Apply. Eligibility, Benefits, And All You Need To Know

India is now pushing e-passports, and for once, that small rectangle of navy blue in your hand is getting a serious 21st-century upgrade. These new passports are already available at select centres, and the Ministry of External Affairs plans to widen the rollout step by step in the coming months. 

India Begins Rollout Of Biometric E-Passports In 2025

According to FE Tech Bytes, the idea was first tested back on April 1, 2024, in a pilot program, quietly at first, but now it’s ready for public adoption. With this move, India joins the growing list of countries layering biometric security into travel documents to outsmart fraud and make airport checks a little less painful.

How do you know if you’ve got one? Look for the tiny gold emblem stamped under the word ‘Passport’ on the cover; that’s your clue.

What sets an e-passport apart may be invisible at first glance. Tucked inside the front cover is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an antenna. This is a feature that doesn’t just hold your name and passport number but also biometric data like your fingerprints, a digital photograph, and even iris scans. 

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

All You Need To Know

In other words, your passport now doubles as a compact and contactless identity vault. Border officers can scan it without touching, which means quicker clearances and fewer awkward shuffles at counters. Importantly, this isn’t a total replacement for the old passports; it’s a sleeker and more secure upgrade running in parallel.

These e-passports:

• Store biometric markers (face, fingerprints, iris).
• Use encrypted chips to block skimming and tampering.
• Follow ICAO guidelines, so they’re valid anywhere your travels take you.
• Make counterfeiting extremely difficult.
• Promise faster processing when you’re standing in an endless immigration line.

Applying for one is familiar territory, but with a digital twist. Head to the Passport Seva portal, log in (or sign up), and complete the e-passport application. Then, pick your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). Pay the fee online, lock in an appointment, and show up for the standard verification drill, as stated by FE Tech Bytes.

Also Read: Why Indian Passports Come In 4 Different Colours, And What Do They Reveal About The Status?

Why does this matter? Because passports aren’t just travel booklets anymore, they’re high-security gateways. The e-passport aims to cut down on identity theft while saving travellers precious time. If all goes according to plan, the rollout will expand steadily, and soon, for Indian citizens, the little gold emblem will become the new normal for crossing borders.

Cover Image Courtesy: mehaniq/CanvaPro