ePassport India: Chip, Gold Symbol and How to Apply

An ePassport India travellers can request looks like a normal passport but carries a small chip in the back cover. The chip stores your details and biometrics, so airports with the right equipment can check you faster. Here is what it is, how to apply and what stays the same.

What an ePassport India issues looks like

The booklet looks almost identical to the older passport. Also, the difference is an electronic chip and antenna inside the back cover. A small gold rectangle on the front cover tells you it is an e-passport, as Gulf News reports citing the Ministry of External Affairs.

However, the chip stores personal and biometric data, including fingerprints and a facial image. It also uses public key infrastructure, so tampering and forgery become harder. Because it follows ICAO standards, it is meant to be read at airports worldwide.

How the application process works

The process is the same as for a regular passport. In short, the e-passport comes under Passport Seva Programme 2.0, which the MEA says began on 1 April 2024.

1. Register or log in on the Passport Seva portal or app.
2. Choose a fresh application or a reissue.
3. Fill in the form and pay the fee online.
4. Book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra or a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra.
5. Visit with your original documents and give your biometrics.
6. Receive the passport at your registered address.

Our passport renewal guide lists documents and fees for the standard process, so use it alongside the official portal.

Do you need to switch?

No. The MEA has said there is no mandatory requirement to change. Existing passports remain valid until their expiry date, and the transition is gradual. In practice, you may get an e-passport when you renew, or you can ask for one if your office issues them.

However, reports differ on where e-passports are issued. One lists regional offices such as Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai, while another names different cities. So check the appointment page for your nearest centre.

Where the chip helps

The main gain is speed at airports that support automated e-gates and biometric lanes. Another example is the new Digi Yatra pilot for international flights. It is open only to Indian citizens with e-passports, on select Air India and IndiGo flights. Then, our Digi Yatra international trial report has the airport list.

Still, an e-passport does not skip visas or border checks. So you must carry it, and every normal immigration rule applies.

Before you apply: a short checklist

Start by checking when your current passport expires. If it is valid for years, you have no reason to hurry, since the MEA says existing passports stay valid until expiry. If you are renewing anyway, mention the e-passport when you book, and look at your centre’s details on the portal.

Next, keep your original documents ready, because the appointment includes verification and biometrics. Finally, save the appointment confirmation and carry a printout or the app screen. These steps are the same as for any passport, so nothing new is needed for the chip.

Mistakes to avoid

• Paying through unofficial sites. Use only the Passport Seva portal or app.
• Assuming every centre issues e-passports yet. Confirm before booking.
• Bending or damaging the back cover, which holds the chip.
• Replacing a valid passport early without a reason.

FAQ

How do I know if my passport is an e-passport?

Look for a small gold rectangle symbol on the front cover. Still, the chip sits inside the back cover.

Is the ePassport application different?

No. For example, you apply on the Passport Seva portal, book a PSK or POPSK appointment and give biometrics, just as for a regular passport.

Will my old passport stop working?

No. Existing passports stay valid until their expiry date, and switching is voluntary.