The e-passport resembles the traditional booklet, with a small gold symbol on the cover.

In a major upgrade to its passport system, India is set to roll out next-generation e-passports equipped with cutting-edge security features, including interlocking microletters, relief tints, and embedded RFID chips storing encrypted biometric data, and more, according to design details accessed by India Today.

Under the rollout, all newly issued passports will immediately be e-passports, while existing non-electronic passports will remain valid until their expiry. The government plans a full transition to e-passports by June 2035.

What is an ePassport

An ePassport is an upgraded version of the traditional Indian passport that includes both physical and electronic components. It contains a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an antenna embedded within the passport’s inlay. These components securely store the passport holder’s personal details and biometric information.

The ePassport can be identified visually by a small gold-coloured symbol printed on the front cover, just below the passport title. This design element allows travellers and officials to quickly recognise that the document is digitally enabled.

The overhaul includes a redesigned website and mobile app with auto-filled forms, easier document uploads, UPI and QR-code payments, and AI chat and voice bots for real-time support.

The data stored in the embedded chip of an e-passport is "read-only" and gets accessed by the system when it is tapped on a platform used during the immigration process at an airport.

"This data cannot be retrieved by anyone else, in case a person's e-passport gets lost or stolen by someone. And in case of theft, once a police complaint has been filed, the entire data on the chip can be locked by authorities," the senior official said.

The e-passport resembles the traditional booklet, with a small gold symbol on the cover. It carries an embedded RFID chip and antenna storing personal and biometric details printed on the data page. The information is digitally signed using Public Key Infrastructure, matching global electronic-verification systems and helping reduce identity fraud.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that e-passports will support automated border control systems, enabling smoother movement for Indian travelers worldwide. The upgraded design also adheres to ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) norms, enhancing global acceptance and interoperability.

Officials stated that production will be rolled out in phases, prioritizing new applicants and those renewing expiring passports. The transition includes upgraded printing facilities, security features, and digital systems to handle chip encoding and PKI verification.

By Aaradhay Sharma