dailyreport
In a significant stride toward digital transformation and enhanced national security, India has officially launched chip-enabled biometric e-passports in 13 key cities. Among the first to roll out the initiative are Hyderabad, Delhi, Goa, Ranchi, Bengaluru, and Chennai, with plans to gradually expand across the country.
These new-generation passports come embedded with a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an electronic microprocessor that securely stores biometric and personal information, including the holder’s photograph, fingerprint, and iris scan. This upgrade aims to streamline immigration checks, reduce identity fraud, and meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for machine-readable travel documents.
The initiative is part of the “Make in India” mission, with the e-passports being manufactured at the India Security Press in Nashik. Officials state that the introduction of these passports represents a leap forward in improving border security and international travel convenience for Indian citizens.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, these e-passports will also significantly cut down processing time at immigration counters globally and will be compatible with automated e-gates used in many airports worldwide.
The move has been welcomed by both frequent travelers and tech experts, as it reflects the country’s focus on secure and modern governance practices. Officials also confirmed that the existing passport application process will remain largely unchanged, with biometric data collected during the standard enrollment procedure.
