India is upgrading its passport system and rolling out next-generation e-passports. These passports will come with cutting-edge security features, including interlocking microletters, relief tints, and an RFID chip. This chip will store encrypted biometric data and other personal information.
Under this rollout, all newly issued passports will now be e-passports, while existing non-electronic passports will remain valid until their expiry date. The government aims to fully transition to e-passports by June 2025.
New Passport Will Come With High-Tech Features
All e-passports will be equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an antenna. Users’ biometric and personal data will be stored with encryption, including details such as their photograph and fingerprints. Thanks to contactless data reading capabilities, the verification process at immigration counters will become faster.
This will also reduce cases of fraud and tampering. So far, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued 8 million e-passports within India, while Indian missions abroad have issued more than 60,000 e-passports.
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Easier to Prevent Fraud
A senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs stated that the new system will help reduce passport fraud. It will also prevent cases where a single person holds multiple passports. If someone already possesses a passport, the system will detect it immediately.
Launched in May 2025, the Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 (PSP V2.0) currently includes 37 Regional Passport Offices, 93 Passport Seva Kendras, and 451 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras. Its global version, GPSP V2.0, was launched on 28 October 2025.
This system will offer people a better passport experience. It will include an AI chatbot and voice-bot applications. AI will be used to enhance security. The system can also be integrated with DigiLocker, Aadhaar, and PAN for document verification.