India Rolls Out E-Passports With Optimised Security Features — Check How To Apply, Other Key Details
At present, the service is available at select centres such as Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad and Surat, among others.
The government has started issuing e-passports for citizens in an effort to simplify the process of acquiring the critical document, by blending the power of technology. The pilot rollout, which commenced on April 1, is currently available at select regional passport help centres across India.
The initiative has been launched as a part of the Ministry of External Affairs’ Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0.
The aim of this initiative is to “maintain the integrity” of passport holder's data, the government said. At present, the service is available at select centres such as Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad and Surat, among others.
How Does E-Passport Work?
The e-passport uses a Radio Frequency Identification chip and an embedded antenna. These are placed inside the passport’s cover as an inlay. The chip stores the passport holder’s personal details and biometric data securely. When a person decides to travel, this data can be used for their identification without any hassle. It will appear similar to the regular passports. However, it will have a small gold-colored symbol below the front cover. This symbol indicates that the passport contains electronic features for added verification.
Is It Mandatory To Replace Physical Passport With E-Passport?
The introduction of e-passports does not mean that the existing valid physical passports cannot be used anymore. According to the information available on the Passport Seva website, all existing passports are valid till their expiry date. When the e-passport service is rolled out to more cities across India, those applying for a new passport or renewals will get the e-passport.
Which Locations Offer E-Passport Service At Present?
At the moment, the initiative covers regional passport offices such as Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi, Nagpur, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Bhubaneswar and Jammu.
“The phase wise roll out of ePassport covering all Passport Offices across India may take a few months,” the website mentioned.
How To Apply For E-Passport Service Online?
1. Sign up on the Passport Seva Online Portal.
2. Log in using your registered credentials.
3. Select the option to apply for a new passport or renewal.
4. Complete the application form and submit it.
5. Proceed to the “View Saved/Submitted Applications” section.
6. Click on “Pay and Schedule Appointment” to book your slot.
7. Click the "Print Application Receipt" link.
8. Visit the Passport Seva Kendra where the appointment has been booked.
9. One needs to carry their original documents to the office.
To be clear, this is the standard process of applying for passports online. This means that e-passports will only be issued if the applicant chooses a passport office where the service is available.
