• The e-passport initiative began in four cities such as Chennai, Nagpur and Hyderabad, in April 2024
• Over 20,700 e-passports have been given out, with a nationwide rollout planned by mid 2025
• Major advantage of the e-passport is it speeds up the process for immigration

The Government of India has introduced biometric passports, a significant step toward modernizing travel documentation and enhancing national security. These advanced passports which use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, securely stores the holder’s data and place India among 120 countries that have implemented chip-based passports, including the US, Canada and Japan. Indian citizens can identify an e-passport by the gold-colored symbol on its front, indicating a new level of security for international travel.

Under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0, the e-passport initiative began in four cities such as Chennai, Nagpur and Hyderabad, in April 2024. By  March 2025, over 20,700 e-passports have been given out, with a nationwide rollout planned by mid 2025. The RFID chip, embedded in the passport’s back cover, uses Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to ensure robust encryption, safeguarding data against forgery and unauthorized access. The e-passport obeys to the rules of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ensures your fingerprints are safe with Basic Access Control (BAC), Passive Authentication (PA) and Extended Access Control (EAC).

Also Read: LTTS, BITS & CRENS Collaborate on AI-Powered National Security Solutions

A major advantage of the e-passport is it speeds up the process for immigration. Using biometrics at e-gates in airports worldwide lets travelers check-in quickly and ensures a better travel experience. Information about a person’s past trips gets stored on the chip, so border guards can better monitor movement and avoid identity theft and illegal immigration.

The Ministry has ensured that those who carry valid passports now can continue to use them until their expiration, without being forced to have an e-passport right away. India will make the transition gradually, letting passport offices issue e-passports only when the relevant technology is available. Now that worldwide travel is increasing, this campaign supports Indian citizens in enjoying safe and efficient trips abroad.

All biometric passports are produced domestically at the India Security Press in Nashik. It guarantees that sensitive data is safe and also helps advance the Make in India initiative, keeping important citizen information within the country.