Summary
The Indian ePassport, officially introduced in 2024, represents a major technological upgrade in India’s passport system, replacing older handwritten and machine-readable passports with a biometric, electronically secured travel document. Issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the ePassport incorporates embedded chips storing biometric and personal data, enhancing identity verification, security, and privacy for Indian citizens traveling abroad. This modernization aligns India with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and international best practices, addressing previous challenges related to forgery, fraud, and inefficient processing.
The government has mandated the replacement of all existing handwritten passports with ePassports, requiring holders to upgrade their travel documents to comply with new security protocols and a standardized validity period of 10 years. Alongside this transition, a colour-coded system differentiates passport types — including diplomatic, official, ordinary, and emergency passports — to streamline identification and border control procedures. The rollout began with diplomatic and official passports and expanded in April 2024 to ordinary citizens through multiple Regional Passport Offices nationwide.
While the adoption of ePassports enhances privacy through features like the removal of residential addresses and stricter proof-of-birth documentation requirements, the transition has encountered challenges. Applicants have reported difficulties related to application submission procedures, document specifications, and accessing required proof of birth, particularly for individuals born after October 1, 2023. These issues have prompted calls for clearer guidelines and improved applicant support as the government works to ensure a smooth nationwide implementation.
India’s ePassport initiative marks a significant step toward modernizing its travel documentation in line with global standards, improving security for its citizens, and facilitating international mobility. The ongoing collaboration between government agencies and technical institutions aims to further enhance passport issuance efficiency and safeguard against identity fraud, positioning India among the growing number of countries employing biometric passports worldwide.
Background
The Indian passport, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, serves as both an international travel document and proof of Indian citizenship under the Passports Act (1967). Historically, Indian passports were handwritten, with over one hundred thousand such passports issued between 1997 and 2000, featuring 20-year validity periods. However, these handwritten passports have been invalidated by the Indian government, mandating holders to replace them with machine-readable passports valid for 10 years in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations.
In efforts to enhance security and streamline identification, a colour-coding system has been introduced to differentiate passport types, allowing immigration authorities to quickly ascertain the holder’s status and thereby expedite border control procedures. Among the various passport types, Official Passports with white covers are issued to individuals representing the Government of India on official business, including members of the armed forces stationed abroad. Since 2021, all Official Passports have been issued as ePassports, embedding a data chip for secure storage of personal and biometric information.
The transition to biometric passports, or ePassports as termed in India, marks a significant upgrade in passport technology. Beginning with a pilot rollout in April 2024, the Union Government initiated testing of biometric passports for ordinary citizens across multiple Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) nationwide, including Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, and others. Earlier phases focused on diplomatic passport holders both domestically and abroad. The new ePassports were designed locally in collaboration with the Central Passport Organisation, India Security Press, and IIT Kanpur.
Previously, passport acquisition in India was hampered by a complicated and time-consuming process, limited access to facilitation centres concentrated in major cities, and low public demand. Recent expansions in the number of centres, technological advancements, outsourcing of professional services, and a growing middle class have contributed to increased passport adoption and improved accessibility.
Features of the Indian ePassport
The Indian ePassport, also known as the Biometric Passport, incorporates a range of modern features aimed at enhancing security, privacy, and efficiency in international travel. Introduced initially for diplomatic passport holders, the rollout to ordinary citizens began in April 2024 across multiple Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) including Bhubaneswar, Nagpur, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi.
One of the key innovations in the ePassport is the integration of biometric data, which significantly improves identity verification and reduces the risks of forgery and duplication. The passport design itself has been modernised with an improved layout and advanced security features that align with international standards for travel documentation and data protection. This upgrade supports faster processing at immigration counters and embassies worldwide.
The ePassport features a four-tier colour coding system to clearly distinguish between different passport categories: red for diplomats, white for government officials, blue for ordinary citizens, and grey for emergency travel documents and repatriation passports. This classification streamlines identification and processing during travel.
In terms of privacy, the new passport design no longer displays the holder’s residential address on the last page, marking a significant step towards protecting personal data. Additionally, stricter rules have been implemented regarding proof of date of birth: for applicants born on or after October 1, 2023, only government-issued birth certificates will be accepted starting in 2025.
The Government of India, in collaboration with the Central Passport Organisation, the India Security Press, and IIT Kanpur, has ensured that the ePassport meets both domestic and global security benchmarks. The ongoing partnership between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Posts, extended through a renewed Memorandum of Understanding, aims to further enhance the security and efficiency of the passport issuance process.
Policy on Upgrading to ePassport
The Government of India has mandated the replacement of all handwritten passports with machine-readable ePassports, aligning with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations. Handwritten passports, some of which were issued between 1997 and 2000 with validity periods of 20 years, have been declared invalid. Holders of these older passports are required to upgrade to the newer biometric ePassports, which have a validity of 10 years and incorporate advanced security features including secure storage of personal and biometric data.
The rollout of biometric passports began in April 2024 with a pilot program at several Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) including Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi. This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing the security and efficiency of Indian passports.
Applicants seeking new or renewed passports must comply with updated documentation requirements. For individuals born before October 1, 2023, alternative proofs of birth such as school leaving certificates, PAN cards, or voter IDs remain acceptable, ensuring flexibility during the transition period. However, for those born on or after October 1, 2023, the government restricts acceptable proof of birth strictly to the birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the Municipal Corporation under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
In addition to mandatory upgrading to ePassports, the Indian government has introduced a colour-coding system to simplify passport identification, categorizing passports based on their type and purpose, such as white passports designated for government officials. These changes aim to improve convenience, security, and inclusivity for Indian passport holders as part of the broader modernization of passport services.
Applicants are encouraged to initiate the upgrade process promptly to ensure compliance with the new regulations and benefit from enhanced security features inherent in the biometric ePassport system.
Benefits of ePassport Adoption
The adoption of the Indian ePassport brings multiple significant benefits aimed at enhancing security, privacy, and efficiency for passport holders. One of the primary advantages is the enhancement of personal data security and privacy. The new ePassport incorporates advanced biometric features that reduce the risks of forgery and duplication, ensuring that the identity of the passport holder can be verified more reliably and swiftly during international travel.
In line with global travel documentation norms, the ePassport upgrade facilitates faster identity verification processes at immigration checkpoints, making international travel more secure and efficient for Indian citizens. Additionally, the ePassport reflects international standards for data protection, exemplified by privacy-focused changes such as the removal of the holder’s residential address from the passport’s last page. This change safeguards personal information and aligns with modern privacy concerns.
Moreover, the transition to ePassports supports efforts to protect vulnerable groups, especially Indian workers traveling abroad. The initial rollout targeted diplomatic passport holders and has since expanded to ordinary citizens, helping prevent exploitation by enabling more secure and traceable documentation for Indian workers in regions like the Middle East. This modernization also complements policy updates, including stricter documentation requirements and procedural improvements, which collectively contribute to a more uniform and secure passport issuance process.
Challenges and Public Response
The rollout of the Indian ePassport has brought several challenges and elicited varied responses from the public. One significant issue involves the documentation process for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) applications, which has generated numerous queries directed to the High Commission of India. Applicants often face confusion regarding the specific documents required, underscoring the need for clearer guidelines and support.
Additionally, the submission process for passport and OCI applications requires applicants to send physical copies along with fees exclusively in the form of Cashier Check, Banker Check, or Money Order payable to “VFS Services (USA) Inc” via postal mail to designated VFS Global centers. This requirement has raised concerns about convenience and accessibility, particularly for those residing outside major urban centers. Strict packaging regulations, such as the mandatory use of FedEx Pak or envelope for shipment to the VFS Indian Consular Application Centre, further complicate the process. Applicants using incorrect packaging face additional charges that must be cleared before application processing.
The passport photo specifications, although generally well-defined, have also led to some confusion among applicants, contributing to delays and rejections during application processing. These procedural challenges highlight the complexities involved in transitioning to the new ePassport system.
From a privacy standpoint, the ePassport has been positively received as it enhances personal data security for passport holders. The removal of parents’ names from passports addresses growing concerns about privacy and the misuse of family information. This change mitigates potential discomfort and protects individuals’ personal details from misinterpretation or exploitation.
However, the new rules regarding proof of date of birth—mandating birth certificates as the sole acceptable document for individuals born on or after October 1, 2023—have been met with mixed reactions. While this standardization aims to reduce fraud and simplify verification, it also places an additional burden on applicants who may face difficulties obtaining the requisite documents.
Comparison with Passports of Other Countries
India’s transition to the ePassport aligns with global trends toward enhancing passport security and standardization. Early Indian passports, some dating back to the British Empire, were handwritten and featured extended validity periods of up to 20 years, as observed between 1997 and 2000 when over one hundred thousand such passports were issued. However, these handwritten passports have since been declared invalid by the Indian government in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, which mandate machine-readable passports with a maximum validity of 10 years.
In comparison, many countries adopted machine-readable and biometric passports earlier, incorporating advanced security features to store personal and biometric data securely. For instance, the United States issues various passport types, including standard blue passports for citizens and white passports specifically for government officials. These passports incorporate embedded electronic chips that facilitate secure data storage and international verification.
India’s move to ePassports ensures that its travel documents meet international standards, improving security and interoperability. While the initial issuance of handwritten passports with longer validity periods was once common, current global best practices emphasize shorter validity and advanced technological features, trends that India is now following through its mandatory upgrade to ePassports.
Future Developments and Prospects
The Indian government is set to implement significant updates to the passport issuance system in 2025, focusing on enhanced security features and streamlined application processes. One of the key future developments includes the mandatory upgrade to the Indian ePassport for all existing passport holders. This move aims to unify the passport system under a more secure and technologically advanced framework, ensuring better international compliance and traveler convenience.
Additionally, changes in the documentation requirements are expected, particularly concerning proof of date of birth and birth certificates. These modifications are designed to simplify verification procedures while maintaining the integrity of identity confirmation. Applicants will need to be aware of these updated guidelines to avoid delays during their passport renewal or application process.
The content is provided by Sierra Knightley, Fact-Nest
