India's e-passports are here: Chip-enabled passports now standard across India
India has officially rolled out e-passports nationwide under Passport Seva Programme V2.0.
Starting now, every new passport or renewal—whether at a passport office, Seva Kendra, or post office center—will be chip-enabled by default.
The rollout began in May 2025 and went global in October.
What's different about an e-passport?
E-passports come with an RFID chip that securely stores your personal and biometric data, following international standards.
Your details are digitally signed to help prevent identity fraud and make airport checks faster and smoother.
No rush to replace your old passport—and applying just got easier
If you already have a regular passport, don't worry—it stays valid until it expires; no need for an urgent switch.
The upgraded Passport Seva portal now lets you autofill forms, pay with UPI or QR codes, upload documents online, and even get AI-powered chat support for questions.
How do you get 1?
Applying is pretty straightforward: sign up on the Passport Seva portal, book an appointment for biometric capture, go through police verification, and your new e-passport will be delivered to your address.
It's all about making travel safer—and the process less of a headache—for everyone.