May 13, Tuesday: India has officially launched chip-based biometric e-passports in 13 cities as part of the Passport Seva Programme 2.0, marking a significant advancement in travel document security and efficiency.
An e-passport is a combination of a traditional paper passport and an embedded electronic chip. This chip securely stores the passport holder’s personal and biometric information, including: Photograph, Fingerprints, passport number, and date of birth. The chip is protected by international security standards such as Basic Access Control (BAC) and Extended Access Control (EAC), ensuring that the data can not be accessed or tampered with by unauthorized entities.
India is currently issuing e-passports in the following cities of Nagpur, Bhubaneshwar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, Ranchi, and Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs plans to expand this rollout nationwide by mid-2025.
How can you apply
The application process for an e-passport remains the same as that for a traditional passport:
- Online Application: Visit the Passport Seva Portal to fill out the application form.
- Appointment Scheduling: Schedule an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (PO … ).
- Biometric Data Submission: Provide your biometric details, including fingerprints and a photograph, at the designated center.
- Document Verification: Submit the required documents for verification.
- Passport Issuance: Once processed, the e-passport will be printed and embedded with your biometric data at the India Security Press in … aligning with the “Make in India” initiative.
You can identify an e-passport by a small gold-colored symbol printed below the front cover of the passport. This symbol indicates the presence of an embedded electronic chip. Keep Reading Questiqa.in for more news.
