Nationwide Launch of E-Passports
The Indian government has made a major upgrade to passport services by launching Passport Seva Program 2.0 across the country. With this, chip-based e-passports will now be available nationwide. Earlier, these were tested only in selected cities under a pilot project. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made this announcement during the 13th Passport Seva Divas, marking a new era in secure international travel.
Modern Technology for Faster, Safer Travel
Minister Jaishankar stated that the government is committed to delivering high-quality citizen services using cutting-edge technology. The PSP 2.0 system is part of this goal. It offers a Digital India experience with improved efficiency, governance, and convenience. E-passports will make immigration faster and reduce risks of fraud and misuse.
What Is an E-Passport and How Does It Work?
An e-passport looks like a normal passport but has a small electronic chip on the cover. This RFID chip stores the holder’s personal and biometric information like photo and fingerprints. You can identify an e-passport by the gold-colored chip symbol on the cover. At airports, this chip is scanned contactlessly, speeding up the verification process.
How to Apply for an E-Passport
The application process for e-passports is simple and almost the same as the regular one:
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Visit the Passport Seva website
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New users must register; existing users can log in
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Fill the online form and book an appointment at your nearest PSK or POPSK
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Pay the application fee online
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Visit the center on your appointment day to complete biometric capture and document verification
Benefits of E-Passports
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High Security: Data in the chip is encrypted and safe
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Fraud Protection: Difficult to tamper or duplicate
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Faster Immigration: Quick chip scan speeds up airport process
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Global Standards: Accepted worldwide for international travel
