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First Post
13-05-2025
- First Post
What are India's chip-based e-passports?
India is giving its passport system a high-tech makeover by introducing advanced chips with the traditional paper passport. These high-tech passports are not only expected to improve identification and security, they would also result in shorter queues, faster clearance at immigration checks read more India's e-passports come embedded with an antenna and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip, integrated into a special inlay. Image courtesy: e-passport India India is giving its passport system a high-tech makeover. To boost identification and security, the government has started rolling out e-passports, a modern version that integrates advanced electronic passport technology with the traditional paper passport. These new passports are part of a pilot programme under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0, which officially kicked off on April 1, 2024, as per the Ministry of External Affairs. The e-passports are currently being issued in select cities across the country, with a plan to expand the rollout nationwide in the coming months. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here's a quick look at everything you need to know. How do e-passports work? India's e-passports come embedded with an antenna and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip, integrated into a special inlay. These advanced passports securely store the traveller's biometric and personal data — including facial images, fingerprints, name, date of birth, and passport number. All of this information is encrypted and shielded by global security protocols such as Basic Access Control (BAC), Passive Authentication (PA), and Extended Access Control (EAC), making the data difficult to tamper with. They are also easy to spot, thanks to a distinctive gold-coloured symbol printed beneath the front cover, setting them apart from regular passports. Also read: What is the new fast-track immigration programme that will ease international travel? Why this matters Biometric e-passports have become the global standard for secure and seamless international travel. With an embedded chip that enables real-time identity authentication, these passports allow for automated, contactless immigration checks at e-gates. The result? Shorter queues, faster clearance, and a far more convenient experience for travellers. With an embedded chip that enables real-time identity authentication, these e-passports allow for automated, contactless immigration checks at e-gates. File image/PTI Beyond speed and convenience, e-passports also significantly improve data protection. They minimise the chances of identity theft, forgery, and fake passport incidents during border checks. Further, by introducing this technology, India is aligning itself with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, placing its citizens on equal footing with travellers from countries that already use such high-security documents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So far, more than 120 countries — including the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, and Japan — have adopted chip-based biometric passports, and India is now officially joining that league. Also read: From Australia to UAE, how countries are rolling out easy visas for Indians Which passport seva centres are offering e-passports? E-passports are currently being issued in 13 cities across India as part of the initial rollout phase. These cities include Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, Ranchi, and Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that this marks only the beginning. The nationwide rollout is expected to extend to all Passport Seva Kendras by mid-2025. E-passports are currently being issued in 13 cities across India as part of the initial rollout phase. In Tamil Nadu, the process officially began on March 3, 2025, with e-passports being issued at the Regional Passport Office in Chennai. By March 22, the state had already issued 20,729 e-passports. How to apply for an e-passport? Applying for an e-passport is straightforward and follows the same steps as a regular passport. Start by visiting the Passport Seva Portal, fill in the required details, pay the applicable fees, and book an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD During your appointment, biometric data such as your photograph and fingerprints will be collected. All e-passports are printed and embedded with chips at the India Security Press in Nashik. This ensures that the entire production process is managed within the country, supporting the Make in India initiative and maintaining control over sensitive personal data. It's also worth noting that switching to an e-passport is not mandatory. Existing passports will continue to be valid until their date of expiry and can be used without issue. With input from agencies
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
New chip enabled e-passports rolled out in 13 cities; Goa, Ranchi get first access; check list
India has officially begun issuing chip-based biometric e-passports in 13 cities as part of a phased rollout under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0. This move places India among more than 120 countries already using advanced e-passport technology designed to improve security, prevent identity fraud, and streamline immigration processing at international borders. In which cities E-passports are being issued in India? The e-passports are currently being issued in the following cities: Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, Ranchi, and Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that this is the initial phase of the nationwide rollout, which is expected to expand to all Passport Seva Kendras across India by mid-2025. What is an e-passport and what will it do? Each e-passport contains an embedded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and antenna placed inside the back cover. The chip securely stores the passport holder's personal and biometric information, including their photograph, fingerprints, passport number, and date of birth. All data is encrypted and protected by internationally recognised protocols such as Basic Access Control (BAC) and Extended Access Control (EAC) to prevent unauthorised access or tampering. These passports are intended to support faster immigration processing and reduce manual verification, allowing Indian travellers to pass through automated e-gates in many countries that recognise ICAO-compliant biometric documents. The "Make in India" initiative The e-passport printing and chip integration are being carried out at the India Security Press in Nashik, ensuring the technology remains under national control and aligned with the government's 'Make in India' initiative. The application process remains the same. Citizens can apply via the Passport Seva Portal, schedule an appointment at their nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), and provide their biometric details at the centre. The adoption of e-passports is a significant step forward in enhancing the safety, credibility, and efficiency of international travel for Indian citizens. As global mobility increases, these digital documents are expected to play a key role in reducing travel delays, minimising human error, and aligning India with evolving global border management systems.
News18
13-05-2025
- News18
India Goes Biometric: Chip-Based E-Passports Usher in a New Era of Travel
Biometric e-passports are now the international standard for secure and seamless travel India has officially joined a global cohort of over 120 nations—including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, and others—in adopting chip-based biometric e-passports, marking a major leap toward modernizing international travel. This transformative move aims to enhance border security, prevent identity fraud, and expedite immigration processing for Indian citizens. The nationwide rollout of India's e-passports began in April 2024 under the revamped Passport Seva Programme 2.0, with pilot implementations in key cities such as Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi. Full-scale deployment is expected by mid-2025. These next-generation passports feature a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an antenna embedded in the back cover. The chip securely stores the holder's biometric and personal data—including facial images, fingerprints, name, date of birth, and passport number. The data is encrypted and protected under international security protocols such as Basic Access Control (BAC), Passive Authentication (PA), and Extended Access Control (EAC). Global Travel, Redefined Biometric e-passports are now the international standard for secure and seamless travel. The embedded chip allows real-time authentication at immigration checkpoints, enabling automated, contactless border control through e-gates. These systems drastically reduce wait times and eliminate manual verifications, offering greater convenience for global travelers. India's shift to e-passports aligns it with the security standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), placing Indian travelers on par with those from digitally advanced nations and enhancing the country's credibility on the global stage. A Global Movement: Countries with E-Passports India's transition mirrors a worldwide trend. Here's how major countries have implemented chip-enabled passports: Americas United States: In use since 2007 with facial and fingerprint biometrics. Canada: Introduced in 2013, supports automated border kiosks. Mexico: Launched in 2021 to bolster border security. Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru: Rolled out between 2010–2016; ICAO-compliant and widely accepted. Europe France, Italy, UK, Germany: Early adopters since 2005–2006, integrated with Schengen e-gates. Ukraine, Russia: Fully biometric with digital ID integration. Asia Japan, China, South Korea: In operation since the mid-2000s with continual upgrades. Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal: South Asian countries with active e-passport programs. Malaysia: A pioneer since 1998, upgraded to ICAO standards by 2010. Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Indonesia: Fully integrated into global border control systems. Africa Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda: Biometric passports rolled out to align with regional and global guidelines. Oceania Australia, New Zealand: Among the earliest adopters, seamlessly integrated with smart e-border systems. With India's inclusion, its citizens can now enjoy faster and more secure entry into visa-on-arrival and e-gate enabled countries, reinforcing India's position in the global mobility landscape. Streamlined Application and Indigenous Production The application process for e-passports remains user-friendly. Citizens can apply via the Passport Seva Portal, book an appointment at their local Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra, and provide biometric data during their visit. Advertisement All e-passports are printed and chipped at the India Security Press in Nashik, ensuring that passport production remains within the country. This supports the government's Make in India initiative and bolsters national data sovereignty. Why This Upgrade Matters As international travel rebounds post-pandemic—with over 1.5 billion global arrivals in 2023—countries are rapidly upgrading to biometric systems to handle rising passenger volumes efficiently and securely. Traditional machine-readable passports are susceptible to duplication and tampering. E-passports provide a robust solution, combining biometric verification with cryptographic encryption to make identity fraud virtually impossible while ensuring smoother immigration experiences. What Lies Ahead: The Future of Smart Travel India's e-passport initiative is just one step in a broader vision to digitize global mobility. Future innovations may include: Mobile passport wallets Blockchain-based identity verification Integration with DigiLocker and Aadhaar Digital visas stored directly on the chip top videos View All These advancements could eventually eliminate paper-based documentation entirely, paving the way for a truly contactless and intelligent travel ecosystem. With the launch of chip-enabled biometric passports, India joins the world's most advanced nations in reshaping the future of travel. This digital leap not only secures India's borders but also places its citizens at the forefront of a global, tech-driven transformation in mobility. As biometric systems become the new normal, India is not just keeping pace—but helping set the standard for what comes next. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : e-passports travel Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 13, 2025, 09:26 IST News lifestyle » travel India Goes Biometric: Chip-Based E-Passports Usher in a New Era of Travel
Wales Online
21-04-2025
- Wales Online
How a biometric passport works
How a biometric passport works The idea behind them is to make border control faster, smoother and more secure Border Force checking the passports of passengers arriving at the UK (Image: Getty Images ) You might have heard the term 'biometric passport' thrown around at the airport, especially if you have breezed through one of those e-Gates without having to chat to a single border officer. But what actually makes a passport biometric, and how does it all work? A biometric passport, which is sometimes called an e-passport, looks pretty much like a regular one from the outside apart from the small gold camera symbol on the cover which shows it's got a microchip embedded in it. That chip holds a digital version of your personal details - your name, date of birth, nationality, and passport number, as well as a digital copy of your passport photo, and in some countries, even facial recognition data or fingerprints. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here How does it work? A biometric passport looks pretty much like a regular one from the outside apart from the small gold camera symbol (Image: © 2018 Bloomberg Finance LP ) When you go through one of those automated passport gates, the scanner reads the chip inside your passport and matches the information to your physical appearance in real time, usually by comparing your face to the photo stored on the chip. Article continues below If everything matches up and your passport is valid, you're good to go. There's no need for a manual check, no stamp, just a quick green light and you're through. The whole idea behind biometric passports is to make border control faster, smoother and more secure, because it's much harder to forge the data on the chip than it is to fake a paper document or swap out a photo. The chip also has a security feature called 'digital signing' which ensures the data hasn't been tampered with, and most passports now use something called Basic Access Control. This means the chip can't be read without the machine first scanning the data on the passport's photo page. For travellers, it just means shorter queues and fewer questions at the border, provided your passport is in good condition and you haven't changed so much that the machine doesn't recognise you. That said, if your passport is cracked, damaged, or unreadable or if your facial features have changed quite a bit since your photo was taken, you might get directed to a manual check anyway. Most countries, including the UK and all EU nations, have fully switched to biometric passports now, and they're accepted at eGates in an increasing number of airports around the world. They are valid for the same amount of time as standard passports and cost the same, but they offer a much more streamlined experience, especially for frequent flyers. So while it might all feel a bit high-tech, it's really just a smarter version of the passport we've all been using for years, but now it knows your face as well as your name. Article continues below
