By News18
Passport Seva 2.0: The Government of India has officially launched the nationwide rollout of e-passports as part of the revamped Passport Seva Programme (PSP) 2.0. The initiative, announced by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, aims to enhance passport services with high-end digital infrastructure, improve security, and enable faster immigration clearance.
鈥淲e have rolled out PSP V2.0 across the country, leveraging advanced and high-end technologies to deliver citizen-centric services,鈥 Dr. Jaishankar said, highlighting the move as a milestone in India鈥檚 Digital Public Infrastructure journey.
Greetings to all Passport Authorities in India and abroad on the occasion of the 13th Passport Seva Divas.
Your commendable efforts, guided by 鈥楽eva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan鈥, are instrumental to ensuring ease of travel, deepening access to global workplace and empowering the鈥 pic.twitter.com/pDn53sjyyJ
鈥 Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 24, 2025
What is an E-Passport?
An e-passport is an electronic version of the traditional passport, embedded with a secure RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip in its cover. This chip securely stores biometric data, including the passport holder鈥檚 photograph, fingerprints, and other personal information.
The cover of the e-passport features a gold-colored symbol at the bottom 鈥 a global indicator that it complies with international e-passport standards.
How E-Passports Work
The new e-passport is embedded with a chip that enables contactless, machine-readable verification, significantly speeding up immigration checks at airports. These E-passports comply with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, ensuring interoperability across global travel systems and better protection against identity theft and document fraud.
How to Apply for an E-Passport
Visit the official Passport Seva website.
Register as a new user or log in to your existing account.
Fill in the e-passport application form.
Schedule an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office PSK (POPSK).
Pay the required fee online.
Visit the selected centre on the appointment date for document verification and biometric data capture.
Key Benefits of E-Passports
Enhanced Security: Biometric encryption and chip-based data storage reduce the risk of forgery or tampering.
Faster Immigration Processing: Contactless verification streamlines check-in and border control procedures.
Global Compatibility: Recognised by international border authorities for seamless travel.
Future-Ready Infrastructure: Enables the introduction of automated border control systems in India.
The introduction of e-passports is part of India鈥檚 broader strategy to modernise citizen services, reduce paperwork, and improve efficiency across government functions.
While currently available for new applicants, upgrades for existing passport holders may be offered in later phases.