India Launches New E-Passport System: Chip-Enabled Booklets, Redesigned Website and App, More Features and Capabilities
As part of the nationwide shift towards stronger digital security and faster immigration process, India has successfully launched its new e-passport system, bringing chip-enabled booklets, redesigned website and app, as well as more features and capabilities to the country.
Read more about it below.
India’s New E-Passport System – Officially Launched
It is under the Passport Seva Programme V2.0 and Global Passport Seva Programme for missions overseas that the new e-passport system has been launched in the country, and notably the chip-enabled booklets have been brought out. The new chip-enabled booklets will be issued to all the fresh applications and renewals both in India and missions abroad, and for this citizens won’t have to fill a separate form or anything. For existing passport holders, they won’t be affected by this change, and they will be able to continue using their passports until its expiry date, until the pages run-out, or if it gets damaged.
In addition to the chip-enabled booklets, the new e-passport system also includes a redesigned website and app too. People will be able to find features and capabilities such as auto-filled forms, seamless document uploading, payments via UPI and QR code, AI chat, and voice bots for real-time support. Regarding the e-passport, it will still follow the same design, featuring the Gold symbol on its cover. An embedded RFID chip and antenna are the two major additions, and these will store the personal and biometric details that are already printed on the data page. On top of this, the information will also be digitally signed making use of Public Key Infrastructure, thereby reducing the possibility of frauds.
