India Launches Biometric E-Passports and Upgrades Passport Service Infrastructure

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has begun issuing a new generation of e-passports featuring embedded RFID chips and stored biometric data, alongside a broad upgrade of its domestic and overseas passport service infrastructure. The initiative falls under the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) V2.0 and the Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP) V2.0, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to travel documentation.

The new booklet form-factor is compliant with ICAO standards and includes an RFID chip containing encrypted personal data, facial biometrics, fingerprints, and demographic details. Security features such as micro-lettering and relief tints are intended to raise the bar against forgery and tampering. All newly issued passports will transition to the e-passport format, with a full migration of the existing base targeted by 2035. This follows earlier pilot programs that laid the groundwork for the technology, such as when India launched the nationwide rollout of chip-based e-passports to test the infrastructure and security protocols.

PSP V2.0 has already been rolled out to dozens of Regional Passport Offices and Passport Seva Kendras across India, while GPSP V2.0 covers missions abroad. The upgraded systems introduce AI-powered chat and voice bots for applicant support, auto-filled forms, and tighter integration with digital infrastructure such as DigiLocker and Aadhaar. Robotic Process Automation is being used to improve document verification accuracy and speed. This massive logistical undertaking mirrors previous efforts to modernize the system, which were highlighted when India rolled out Passport Seva 2.0 at the 13th Passport Seva Divas, emphasizing the need to cut verification times.

For citizens, the change promises faster processing and smoother e-gate processing for those traveling through airports equipped for biometric passports. For the government, the program is part of a broader digital-first governance agenda aimed at improving ease of living and strengthening national security. The staggered implementation has seen regional offices take the lead, similar to how Goa launched its e-passport program to validate the issuance process before the wider national release.

Sources: Pune Times Mirror, DD India

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By the ID Tech Editorial Team