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A senior MEA official clarified that existing machine-readable passports will remain valid until their expiry and will continue to be accepted up to 2035. The introduction of e-passports accompanies the wider deployment of the upgraded Passport Seva Programme (PSP V2.0), the Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP V2.0) and the new e-passport system for both domestic and overseas applicants.
The e-passport incorporates an embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) chip and antenna that store key personal data in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Officials emphasised that the same information is printed on the passport’s data page, significantly reducing the chances of forgery.
Also read | India rolls out chip-enabled e-passports: Is it mandatory and when should you apply?
Pilot testing began in 2024 at the Regional Passport Offices in Bhubaneswar and Nagpur, and following successful trials and certification, the rollout concluded nationwide in May 2025. Indian missions abroad have also issued approximately 62,000 e-passports since June this year.
Explaining the security features, an MEA official said the chip’s data is “read-only” and can only be accessed during authorised checks, such as at immigration counters. “This data cannot be retrieved by anyone else, in case a person's e-passport gets lost or stolen by someone. And in case of theft, once a police complaint has been filed, the entire data on the chip can be locked by authorities,” the official noted.
The upgraded system now cross-verifies embedded chip data with biometric information captured during the application process. One official described this as “a major upgrade” that helps identify attempts at impersonation or using another person’s identity. “So, if someone tries to forge a passport or attempts to impersonate someone or get a passport issued in someone else's name, the new system will first alert if a passport with that name and demographic data already exists,” the official said, adding that biometric matching will further flag fraudulent activity. Photographs used in the new passports will also meet ICAO standards.
Also read | MEA announces roll out of upgraded Passport Seva system and introduces e-passports
Under PSP V2.0, the government aims to build a digitally integrated system linking all passport stakeholders to improve transparency, efficiency and user convenience. New features include an enhanced website and mobile app with auto-filled forms, streamlined document upload, and online payments through UPI or QR codes. AI-enabled chat and voice assistants will guide applicants and assist with grievance redressal.
The MEA described the introduction of e-passports and PSP V2.0 as “another significant milestone”, adding: “Critical information printed on the data page is also stored electronically on the chip, enabling enhanced security and authentication. Going forward, all newly issued passports will be e-passports, while existing non-electronic passports will remain valid until their expiry.”
The upgraded PSP has been fully implemented across 37 Passport Offices, 93 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and 451 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) as of 26 May 2025. GPSP V2.0 was subsequently rolled out across 202 Indian embassies and consulates abroad on 28 October.
Officials noted that nearly 100 countries are equipped to process e-passports, and in locations without such systems, the machine-readable portion can still be scanned. The government operates three data centres in Noida, Chennai and Bengaluru to support the new infrastructure, which remains fully owned by the Centre. A seven-layer security architecture has been incorporated to safeguard data and prevent cyberattacks.
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