e- Passport : India has launched a new e-passport to make international travel more secure and easier for its citizens . This advanced , high-tech e-passport contains an embedded electronic chip that securely stores personal and biometric information , making it impossible for anyone to tamper with the passport. The Government of India recently launched the e-passport system under the Passport Seva Programme (Passport Seva Programme ) V2.0 .
Now, if you apply for a new passport or renew your old one , you will receive an e- passport . However, travelers holding regular passports will not be affected. They need not worry for now.” The Ministry of External Affairs ( MEA) is pleased to announce the successful rollout of upgraded versions of its flagship Passport Seva Programme ( PSP ) . The rollout includes the Passport Seva Programme ( PSP V2.0) for citizens in India and those residing abroad , the Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP V2.0) and e-passports,” the government had said in a press release on November 12.
What is e – passport ?
According to the official website of Passport Seva, the e-passport is a hybrid passport that combines both paper and electronic passports. It has a Radio Frequency Identification ( RFID) chip and an antenna embedded as an inlay in the passport . It contains the passport holder’s personal information and biometric details . The e-passport will look similar to the old passport, but an advanced electronic chip will be found on its cover below the Ashoka Pillar. This chip makes the e – passport more secure . The e-passport can be seen as a small golden symbol printed at the bottom of the passport’s front cover.
What are the advantages of e – passport ?
The biggest advantage of an e-passport is its ability to better maintain the integrity of passport holder data . The e-passport contains data in printed form on a booklet . Furthermore, it is digitally signed in an electronic chip , which can be securely authenticated by immigration officials worldwide . This protects the passport from potential fraudulent activities such as counterfeiting and counterfeiting. The chip makes it virtually impossible to tamper with or create a fake passport. Immigration checks are also much faster than before .
What will happen to your existing passport?
The Passport Seva stated on its website that all passports issued by the government will remain valid until their expiration date , meaning until they become damaged, run out of pages, or are due for renewal . Currently , passport holders do not need to replace their passports. As soon as a relevant passport office becomes technically ready to issue e – passports , citizens applying through that passport office will receive the chip – enabled version by default .
How to apply online ?
The online application process for the new e-passport is similar to that for the previous passport . The technological upgrade is internal. The user -facing application steps remain unchanged. To apply for an e-passport online, follow the simple steps below :
Step 1: To get an e-passport, first visit the Passport Seva Portal https://passportindia.gov.in .
Step 2: Then register yourself as a new user by creating a User ID . You will need to select the nearest Regional Passport Office ( RPO) based on your current address.
Step 3: After registration , log in. Then select Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport .
Step 4: If you are making a passport for the first time then select Fresh Passport and for renewal select Re-issue option .
Step 5: Now read all the details asked in the application form carefully and fill them .
Step 6: After submitting the form , go to the View Saved/Submitted Applications section . Then click on Pay and Schedule Appointment .
Step 7: Then , pay the fees online . This will provide you with an appointment at the PSK or post office .
Step 8: After the payment is finalized , the applicant will receive a receipt containing the ARN number and appointment details . This information will be sent via SMS .