E-passport in India: Think a passport that is not only a digital evidence of your identity, but it is so smart that there is no need to stand in cue at the airport! Now your passport is not just a paper document, but a miracle of technology. Yes, the Government of India has officially started ‘e-passport’ and many questions have arisen with it: Will old passports be canceled now? Will there be any difference in traveling abroad? Is the application process different for this? In this detailed report, we will tell you what is the e-passport of India, why it was brought, how it works, who can apply, this facility will be found in which city, and what will be the effect in abroad.
What is e-Passport?
E-Passport is a smart passport with an embedded chip. This chip is based on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technique and contains information related to your biometric data, name, passport number, date of birth, photographs and other security. This passport is designed to suit the global standards of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to read it at airports around the world.
Why the need for e-Passport was needed?
In the past years, cases of passport fraud, identity theft and travel documents have increased. Also, India needed a more secure and take-able passport system to speed up security processes at international airports and facilitate passengers experience. Due to this, e-Passport was conceived.
Where did the idea of e-passport come from?
E-Pasport’s plan first came into discussion in India in 2019 when the then Foreign Minister S Jaishankar mentioned it in Parliament. After this, in the budget speech of 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will start e-passport. In 2022, around 20,000 diplomatic and official passports were issued as a pilot project. Now in 2025 it is being implemented in a phased manner to ordinary citizens.
Is India’s e-passport valid abroad?
Yes, India’s e-Passport has been made in line with ICAO’s international standards. This means that in countries like Europe, America, Canada, Australia, Singapore it fully matches scanning machines. With this, Indian passengers can also provide fast track immigration facility.
Will the old passports be canceled?
No, old passports will not be canceled. They will remain valid until their validity is over. But while making a new passport (in cases like renewal, new application or address change), e-passport will now be issued. That is, gradually the old passports will automatically be out of the system and the whole country will shift to the e-passport.
What is the specialty of e-passport?
1. Smart Chip Technology: The possibility of tampering becomes almost zero due to the data store in the chip.
2. Fast immigration process: Your details are revealed as soon as the chip is scanned, which reduces the immigration time.
3. Ban on fake passports: Fake passport is impossible due to chip and digital signature.
4. International recognition recognition: It can be easily read worldwide due to being prepared according to ICAO standards.
5. Security features: Techniques like data encryption and digital signature help to prevent data leaks or forgery.
In which cities started the facility of e-passport?
In the initial phase, this facility has been made available in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bhopal, Pune, Jaipur and Chandigarh. Gradually it will be applied to all passport service centers (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) across the country.
How to get e-Passport made?
To get an e-passport, you have to adopt the same process that was still for passport:
1. Passport Seva Portal ,[https://www.passportindia.gov.in](https://www.passportindia.gov.in)) Go to
2. Login or create a new account.
3. Fill the application for Fresh or Renewal.
4. Take appointment and pay.
5. Submit documents and biometrics at the passport Seva Kendra on the prescribed date.
The government will now issue only e-passports for new passports, so there is no need to choose a separate option.
Will e-passport be mandatory for everyone?
Yes, from 2025, new applications, renewal or duplicate passport cases will now be issued. However, those who currently have valid passports can use it until their period is completed. E-passports will be issued to people of all age groups i.e. from infants to the elderly. However, children may have some limited information in passports.
Will it be expensive to build e-passport?
Currently, the fee for making e-passport is the same as normal passport. That is ₹ 1500 (for 36 pages, general application). It is the effort of the government to keep its cost low so that the common man does not get financial burden.
India’s big step in technology
India’s e-passport is not only a major step towards Digital India, but it will also give a new dimension to the global image of the country. When an Indian citizen crosses the immigration in a few seconds at the international airport, he will not only feel strong, but will also elevate the flag of India’s technology and security system. Identification, security and travel experiences of passport holders by coming to e-passport are entering a new era. The old passports will not be canceled immediately, but gradually the entire system will go smart and digital. Now the time has come to see the passport not a paper document, but as a ‘smart identity’. So the next time you go to make passports, then remember that now your passport is not only a means of travel, but also a symbol of India’s technical change.
