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What is an e-passport in India? Meaning, Benefits, and Features

Q: Can I apply for an e-passport Online?

Yes, you can apply online via the official Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) website.

Team AckoDec 12, 2024

In today's digital age, passports are getting a major upgrade. E-passports are here, and they’re designed to make travel more secure, faster, and easier for Indian citizens. If you're wondering what exactly an e-passport is, how to get one, and why it's better than regular passports, you've come to the right place! Let’s dive into the details.

E-Passport

Contents

What is an e-passport?
Key Benefits of an e-passport
Key Features of an e-passport
How to Apply for an e-passport in India
Documents Required for an e-passport
- Documents for Passport Renewal
How Does an e-passport Work?
Where Can You Use an e-passport?
What’s the Difference Between an e-passport and a Regular Passport?
What Data is Stored on an e-passport?
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an e-passport?

An e-passport is a modern passport that contains a small electronic chip. This chip holds important information about you, like your name, birthdate, photo, and even biometric details like your fingerprints and iris scan (biometric authentication of an individual’s eyes).

The chip makes your passport more secure because it’s harder to forge or steal information. It also makes immigration checks faster since the chip can be scanned and the data read quickly at border checkpoints.

Key Benefits of an e-passport

Here’s why you might want to switch to an e-passport:

Better Security: The chip in the passport contains all your personal and biometric details, making it almost impossible to forge. So, say goodbye to the risk of fake passports!
Faster Travel: With an e-passport, immigration and security checks are much faster. No more waiting in long lines at airports—just scan your e-passport, and you're on your way.
Less Risk of Losing Your Data: The chip is designed to protect your information. It’s very difficult to delete or tamper with the data stored inside.
Worldwide Use: An e-passport is accepted in over 120 countries, making international travel much easier.

Key Features of an e-passport

An e-passport has several high-tech features that make it a safer and faster way to travel:

Biometric Data: Your fingerprints, iris scan, and a coloured photograph are stored on the chip for extra security.
64 KB Storage: The chip can store all your personal details and biometric data, making your passport much more secure than the traditional paper version.
Automatic Scanning: The chip is equipped with an antenna, allowing it to be scanned automatically at immigration points, so you don’t have to wait in long lines.
Digital Signature: This helps confirm your identity and prevents others from tampering with your passport.

How to Apply for an e-passport in India

Getting your hands on an e-passport is pretty simple. Just follow these easy steps:

Visit the Passport Seva Portal: Go to the official Passport Seva website (https://portal4.passportindia.gov.in).
Register or Log In: If you’re new, create an account. If you’re already registered, just log in using your credentials.
Choose Your Application Type: Select whether you need a new passport or renewal (if you want to upgrade to an e-passport).
Fill in Your Details: Enter your personal information and upload the required documents (we’ll get to those in a moment!).
Make the Payment: Pay the passport fee online using your debit/credit card or net banking.
Schedule an Appointment: Book a time slot at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
Submit Your Application: Visit the PSK with the necessary documents for biometric verification and other formalities.

Documents Required for an e-passport

To apply for an e-passport, you need:

Proof of Address: Aadhaar card, utility bills (electricity, water), or a bank passbook.
Proof of Age: Birth certificate, PAN card, Aadhaar, or Voter ID.
For Passport Renewal: Copy of your current passport's first and last pages.

Documents for Passport Renewal

If you already have a passport and want to upgrade to an e-passport, you’ll need:

Copy of the first and last pages of your current passport
The observation page (if any)
Non-ECR or ECR page copy (if applicable)

How Does an e-passport Work?

The microchip embedded in your e-passport stores up to 60 KB of data. This includes all the information you’d find in a traditional passport, like your name, date of birth, and photo. But with the e-passport, the chip also holds biometric data (like fingerprints and iris scans).

When you pass through immigration, the chip is scanned, and your details are automatically matched to the system. This makes the process faster, safer, and more efficient.

Where Can You Use an e-passport?

An e-passport is useful for:

International travel: Skip the long immigration lines and get through border checks quickly.
Domestic travel: You can also use it as a valid form of identification in India.
Security checks: The passport’s chip ensures your identity is verified securely.

What’s the Difference Between an e-passport and a Regular Passport?

Here's a quick comparison to help you understand the difference:

Feature	e-passport	Regular Passport
Data Storage	Stored electronically in a chip	Only printed data on paper
Chip	Yes, contains biometric data	No chip or electronic storage
Security	Higher security with encryption	Basic security features
Processing Speed	Fast, automated scanning at gates	Manual verification at gates

What Data is Stored on an e-passport?

An e-passport securely stores the following information:

Personal details: Name, date of birth, address
Biometric details: Fingerprints, iris scan, and photograph
Digital signature: For secure verification of your identity

Final Thoughts

The e-passport is the future of travel documentation. It’s more secure, faster, and more convenient than traditional passports. If you’re planning to travel abroad, applying for an e-passport will make your journey smoother and more efficient.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are a few of the commonly asked questions about e-passports in India.

Where can we use an e-passport?

You can use an E-Passport for identification when travelling, just like a regular passport. You can use the E-passport to get out faster from long lines for domestic or international travel.

Can I apply for an e-passport Online?

Yes, you can apply online via the official Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) website.

Are e-Passports currently available in India?

Yes, India started issuing e-passports in 2021, and all eligible Indian citizens can apply for one.

Do I need to pay extra for an e-passport?

No, the fees for an e-passport are the same as the regular passport fees. You don’t need to pay anything extra.

How can I replace an old passport with an e-passport?

If you want to replace your old passport with an e-passport, you can apply for its re-issuance and submit the original passport to the PSK authorities. Upon successful completion of the process, you will get your E-Passport.

How long does it take to get an e-Passport?

It typically takes about 7 to 21 days to receive your e-passport after submission, depending on the application type.

Who are the makers of e-passport technology in India?

The e-Passport technology has been developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the National Informatic Centre (NIC) in association with the India Security Press and the Ministry of External Affairs.

Who is eligible for an e-passport?

All Indian citizens who are eligible for a regular passport can also choose to apply for an E-Passport.

What if I lose my e-passport?

If your e-passport is lost, report it to the police and the Passport Seva Kendra to apply for a replacement.

Can we change the information in an e-passport?

The e-passport, once manufactured, cannot be changed or altered.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.

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