What is an E-Passport? Check List of Cities to Get the First Access

India is adopting a new feature of secure and rapid international travel as it introduces the national rollout of chip-equipped e-passports in 2025. The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip will have the passport holder’s personal details and biometric information such as photograph, birthdate, and other identifying information. These next-generation passports are designed to improve security, simplify border processes, and bring Indian travel documents into line with global standards.

For the physical production of passports, the India Security Press makes sure that the production meets the strict security standards. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will oversee the project so that the passports are in adherence with the international standards set by important organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). 

What is an E-Passport?

An electronic passport, or e-passport, is a new generation of travel document that combines a normal passport booklet with an embedded microprocessor chip and antenna. The chip holds the biometric and demographic data of the passport owner, including fingerprints, digital photograph, and iris scan, all encrypted so that they cannot be altered or forged.

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Key Features of the Indian E-Passport

• Embedded RFID Chip: This chip has personal and biometric information in both printed and encrypted digital form.
• Biometric Security: It has fingerprints, facial photo, and iris scan for precise identity validation.
• Digital Signature: Every chip has a personal digital signature to guarantee data authenticity and integrity.
• Advanced Encryption: The Advanced Encryption deploys Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and other cryptographic protocols to safeguard sensitive data.
• Tamper-Proof Design: With watermarks, hologram images, and high-quality printing to prevent counterfeiting.
• International Compliance: Compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) norms for worldwide interoperability.
• Faster Immigration: Facilitates automated e-gate entry and minimizes wait times at borders.
• Durability: Enhanced materials and construction for more durable documents.

How E-Passports Enhance Security and Travel

These new E-Passports have been designed to reduce fraud identities and a faster processing time. Biometric verification and encrypted chips render forgery and identity theft highly improbable. Electronic scanning at immigration counters accelerates verification, reducing queues and delays.

These E-Passports are globally accepted. ICAO standards compliance guarantees Indian e-passports are accepted and trusted globally. The encryption and digital signatures protect individual data from unauthorized use.

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The use of PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) in these passports will also ensure the origin of the personal and biometric information stored in the chip is authenticated.

Rollout and Implementation

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), assisted by the India Security Press (ISP) in Nashik, is managing the countrywide phased implementation. The first phase focuses on infrastructure enhancement, such as new document verification units and biometric kits at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs).

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First 13 Cities to Get Access to E-Passports

Note: The rollout will expand to all PSKs nationwide by mid-2025.

Regular Passport vs. E-Passport

Application Process for the new E-Passport

The process for applying or renewing remains mostly unchanged:

• Fill out the application online.
• You would have to provide obligatory documents (residence, age, etc.).
• Following submission of the necessary documents, book an appointment at the closest PSK/POPSK for biometric authentication and document submission.

India's e-passport program is an important step towards secure, efficient, and international-standard travel documentation. With advanced security, biometric verification, and speedy immigration clearance, e-passports will advantage millions of Indian travelers and bring the country's travel infrastructure in line with global best practices.

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