New chip enabled e-passports rolled out in 13 cities; Goa, Ranchi get first access; check list

India has officially begun issuing chip-based biometric e-passports in 13 cities as part of a phased rollout under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0. This move places India among more than 120 countries already using advanced e-passport technology designed to improve security, prevent identity fraud, and streamline immigration processing at international borders.

In which cities E-passports are being issued in India?

The e-passports are currently being issued in the following cities: Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, Ranchi, and Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that this is the initial phase of the nationwide rollout, which is expected to expand to all Passport Seva Kendras across India by mid-2025.

What is an e-passport and what will it do?

Each e-passport contains an embedded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and antenna placed inside the back cover. The chip securely stores the passport holder¡¯s personal and biometric information, including their photograph, fingerprints, passport number, and date of birth. All data is encrypted and protected by internationally recognised protocols such as Basic Access Control (BAC) and Extended Access Control (EAC) to prevent unauthorised access or tampering.

These passports are intended to support faster immigration processing and reduce manual verification, allowing Indian travellers to pass through automated e-gates in many countries that recognise ICAO-compliant biometric documents.

The "Make in India" initiative

The e-passport printing and chip integration are being carried out at the India Security Press in Nashik, ensuring the technology remains under national control and aligned with the government¡¯s ¡°Make in India¡± initiative.

The application process remains the same. Citizens can apply via the Passport Seva Portal, schedule an appointment at their nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), and provide their biometric details at the centre.

The adoption of e-passports is a significant step forward in enhancing the safety, credibility, and efficiency of international travel for Indian citizens. As global mobility increases, these digital documents are expected to play a key role in reducing travel delays, minimising human error, and aligning India with evolving global border management systems.