India has officially rolled out biometric e-passports across 12 cities, including Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Amritsar, Shimla, Goa, Jammu, and more, as part of a transformative step towards modernizing travel documentation. This new initiative promises to significantly enhance the security and efficiency of global travel by incorporating advanced technology such as RFID chips and biometric data. The rollout, which began on April 1, 2024, aims to streamline immigration processes, reduce waiting times, and bolster protection against passport fraud. By adopting international standards, these e-passports will provide Indian citizens with a more secure and convenient travel experience, ensuring faster processing at automated border control systems worldwide.

India has launched the rollout of biometric e-passports across 12 cities, marking a major leap in travel documentation technology. These advanced passports are designed to streamline international travel by offering enhanced security and faster immigration processes. Here’s everything travellers need to know about this innovative upgrade.

India Introduces Biometric e-Passports for Seamless Global Travel

India has officially commenced the issuance of biometric e-passports in 12 cities as part of a broader initiative to modernize travel documents. These next-generation passports are equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chips and biometric data, promising enhanced speed, security, and convenience for international travellers.

The rollout, which is part of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, began on April 1, 2024, and is being implemented in select Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) across India.

Where Are the New e-Passports Being Issued?

The initial pilot phase of the e-passport rollout began in 12 key cities, including major metropolitan hubs and significant regional locations. Citizens in these cities can now apply for e-passports:

• Chennai
• Jaipur
• Hyderabad
• Nagpur
• Amritsar
• Goa
• Bhubaneswar
• Jammu
• Shimla
• Raipur
• Surat
• Ranchi

Among these, Chennai has emerged as an early adopter. The Chennai RPO, which began issuing e-passports on March 3, 2025, has already processed over 20,700 e-passports by March 22, 2025.

What Sets an e-Passport Apart?

While an e-passport looks similar to a traditional passport, it incorporates advanced technology for added security and functionality. Each e-passport stores:

• Digitally encrypted biometric data (including fingerprints and iris scans)
• A digital photograph
• Personal information such as name, date of birth, and passport number

This sensitive data is stored securely on an RFID chip, protected by robust digital encryption, making it highly resistant to counterfeiting or tampering. Additionally, India’s e-passports adhere to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, ensuring they are compatible with global smart immigration systems and automated border control systems.

Advantages for Indian Travellers

The new biometric e-passports provide numerous benefits to Indian passport holders:

• Faster immigration processing: The e-passport enables quick, automated identity verification at international airports, minimizing wait times at immigration counters.
• Reduced human error: Automated checks help eliminate manual mistakes in identity verification.
• Enhanced security: Biometric features and encryption make these passports more secure against fraud and misuse.
• Global compatibility: e-passports are compatible with smart immigration gates worldwide, ensuring seamless travel experiences.
• Less waiting time: Automated immigration processing leads to significantly shorter queues, making travel smoother.

For frequent flyers, these upgrades promise a more efficient airport experience and greater peace of mind when passing through security checks.

India’s Digital Transformation Vision

The introduction of e-passports is part of India’s broader initiative to digitize citizen services and modernize public infrastructure. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this e-passport program aims to bring India in line with international standards and practices in travel documentation, enhancing the overall efficiency of the passport issuance process.

The full-scale implementation of this project will continue throughout 2025, with a phased expansion to Tier-II and Tier-III cities. This expansion is supported by upgrades to passport offices and the specialized training of staff to handle biometric data collection and document verification.

How to Apply for an e-Passport

Residents of the 12 cities where the e-passport initiative is being piloted can apply for these new passports during the usual application process. The steps to apply for an e-passport are largely the same as for regular passport applications, with the added step of biometric data collection:

1. Visit the Passport Seva Portal and select your regional passport office (RPO).
2. Choose an appointment slot for your biometric data and document verification.
3. During your appointment, select the e-passport option.
4. Complete the biometric data collection process at the passport office.

India’s rollout of biometric e-passports marks a significant step forward in the digital evolution of travel security. With faster immigration processing, improved security, and global compatibility, these passports offer a modern, efficient, and secure way for Indian citizens to travel internationally.

India has launched biometric e-passports in 12 cities, including Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and more, to modernize travel documentation with enhanced security and faster immigration processing. This initiative aims to streamline travel by incorporating advanced RFID and biometric technology for global compatibility and improved passenger experience.

As the e-passport initiative expands across India, those living in pilot cities have a unique opportunity to upgrade their travel documents and take advantage of these technological advancements, making their international travel experience smoother and more secure.

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