India Launches Chip-Based E-Passports to Enhance Travel Security
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | India rolls out chip-based e-passports |
| Launch Date | April 1, 2024 |
| Program | Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 |
| Key Technology | Embedded RFID chip with biometric and personal data |
| Security Features | Enhanced security, tamper-proof, difficult to forge |
| Additional Feature | Scannable barcode for digital access to residential addresses |
| Pilot Cities | Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Amritsar, Goa, Raipur, Surat, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Shimla |
| Issuing Authority | Selected Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) |
| New Passport Rules (2025) | Birth certificate mandatory for those born on or after October 1, 2023 |
| Residential Address | Digitally embedded, no longer printed on the last page |
| Parents' Names | Removed; personal data streamlined to essential information |
| Global Alignment | Places India alongside countries like the USA, UK, and Germany |
| Objectives | Improve security, streamline immigration, reduce fraud, support digital governance |