Union Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has announced to start an e-Passport initiative across the country under the Passport Seva Program (PSP) 2.0 last week. Initially started as a pilot project in select cities, this initiative is a step towards making Digital India Ecosystem for passengers. Dr. Jaishankar said, I am happy to say that we have started PSP V2.0 across the country. This will allow advanced, high-level emerging technologies.
What is e-Passport?
It is like a normal passport in appearance, it has a chip. E-Passport is a modern passport equipped with a digital technique, which has an electronic chip with your personal data. This chip is placed inside the passport (usually in the cover page), with your biometric data, photo, fingerprint and the necessary personal information stores in digital form.
How does an e-passport work?
The e-passport contains the radio frequency identity (RFID) chip and an antenna. The chip contains personal information and biometric information of the passport holder. There is a small additional golden symbol printed under the front cover of the e-Passport, which will help to separate it from a regular passport.
How is the e-passport look?
When viewed from outside, it is similar to a passport with a normal black or dark blue cover. A small golden chip sign is made below the cover, which suggests that it is an e-passport. The real chip is engaged in the passport cover or in the internal page, which can be scanned by the machine.
How to apply for e-passport?
To apply for e-passport, the person has to go to the official passport service platform and follow the steps given below.
- Go to the official website of passport service.
- The new user will have to sign up for an account, while the current users can only log in.
- Fill the e-Passport application and take an appointment at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).
- Pay the fee for e-passport.
- Go to PSK or POPSK at the scheduled time for biometric capture and document verification.
Benefits of e-Passport
E-passport has many benefits. For example, with its help, fast immigration process (early check-in) at the airport, it is easy to upgrade according to international standard, difficult to make fake passports. Apart from this, it has many other benefits.
ENHANCED SECURITY: The chip is located on the front cover of the passport and it contains your name, passport number, date of birth and biometric details such as your photo and fingers.
Tamper-profte): Due to their encryption and safe chip technology, e-passport is less likely to be forged or duplicated.
Contactless reading: Immigration officers can read the chip rapidly without opening the passport completely or without scanning barcode.
Global Use: Passports are in line with international standards, so they can be used globally for trouble -free travel.
Doesn’t it have to keep it together?
No, e-passport is also a physical document. You have to keep it together during the journey. The difference is that it has an electronic chip, which increases the scanning at the airport. Save version in digital or mobile has not been implemented in India yet.
How long has you been getting E-passport?
E-passports have started to be issued on trial base in India since 2022. At present, these are being issued to some cities and select people. There is a plan to convert all new passports into E-passport in the coming years.
Who can make it?
If you are getting a new passport or getting the old renewal, then you are likely to get an E-passport, provided it is available in your city. If you want, I can tell you whether e-passports are being found in your city or not.