E-Passport facility launched: How to apply and other details
The major benefit of the e-Passport comes with an enhanced ability to maintain the integrity of passport holder's data
The Government of India (GoI) has launched the e-Passport facility as a pilot project in select cities across the country.
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"Currently, Regional Passport Offices at Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, Ranchi are issuing e-Passports to Indian citizens. More passport offices will be issuing e-passports to Indian citizens," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
What is an e-Passport?
An e-Passport is a combined paper and electronic passport with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip and an antenna embedded as an inlay of passport that contains the personal particulars and biometric information of the passport holder. The e-Passport will be visually identifiable as small additional gold colour symbol printed below the front cover of the passport.
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What are the benefits of e-Passport?
The major benefit of the e-Passport comes with an enhanced ability to maintain the integrity of passport holder's data. The e-Passport will have the data in printed form on the booklet, as well as digitally signed in the electronic chip, which can be securely authenticated by immigration officials globally; thus, safeguarding the passport from forgery, and potential fraudulent activities like fake passports, while confirming the genuineness at border controls.
The underlying technology supporting the security of the e-Passport is the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) solution which is the foundation for safeguarding sensitive information and confirming the integrity and origin of the personal and biometric data stored on the chip within the e-Passport.
Should existing passport holders apply for e-Passport?
No. All Passports issued by the Government of India will continue to remain valid till their validity expiry date. As and when a respective Passport Office is technically enabled for issuance of e-Passport, the citizens applying under that passport office will get the e-Passport. The phase-wise roll out of ePassport covering all Passport Offices across India may take few months.
How to apply for an e-Passport?
Visit passportindia.gov.in and register under ‘New User Registration’. Existing users can log in by clicking ‘Existing User Login’.
Next, “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.”
Those applying for a fresh passport should click “Fresh Issuance”
Next, fill out the application form and submit
Next, “Pay and Schedule Appointment” and choose your Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), or Post Office centre for the available date and time for an appointment
Once the appointment is fixed, you can visit the PSK, POPSK or Post Office centre with original documents, and biometric data will be collected and an e-Passport will be issued and sent to your residential address.