- By Alex David
- Sun, 14 Dec 2025 11:41 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India’s e-Passport launch gathers momentum as more people avail of the enhanced travel document when applying for a new passport or re-issuance. The e-Passport aims to enhance security and expedite clearance by storing an individual’s personal details with their biometric information in a microchip on the passport. Some 8 million-odd e-passports have been issued within the country so far, while as many as 62,000 were issued from Indian missions abroad, the MEA informed. Interest in the chip-enhanced passport grows as the government expands availability around the nation. Here’s an easy-to-read primer on what exactly an e-Passport is, how they work, how much it costs to get one and who can apply for one.
What Is an e-Passport?
An e-Passport is similar to a plain passport; however, it has an electronic chip built into the rear cover and complies with ICAO standards. This chip is used to save sensitive personal and biometric information such as fingerprints, facial recognition data and digital signatures.
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During verification, the printed information on the passport can be compared to that stored in the chip, reducing opportunities for forgery or fraud. The passport has a gold symbol on the cover denoting that it is chip enabled. It also allows airports to move people through quicker, reducing lines and expediting immigration checks.
How the e-Passport Improves Security and Travel
The built-in chip provides an additional layer of protection against identity theft and document counterfeiting. Because the sensitive data is also encrypted and digitally signed, unauthorised modifications are easier to detect. For travellers, this means faster identity checks and smoother entry at the international borders of countries that support e-passports, including those using automated border clearance kiosks in airports.
Application Fee for an e-Passport
The government has explained there is no more fee for opting for an e-Passport. The charges are identical to those for a standard passport in the normal category.
- Rs. 1,500 for a 36-page passport booklet
- Rs. 2,000 for a 60-page passport booklet
For those who apply under Tatkal, extra charges are required. The e-Passport is not a new category of passport but only an improvement on the present passport.
Who Can Apply for an e-Passport?
An e-Passport can be applied for by any Indian citizen who is entitled to a regular passport. The service has been launched in a few select Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs).
Applicants also should confirm if their selected centre has commenced e-Passport issuance before scheduling an appointment. The rollout is now being extended to include additional centres, paving the way for more widespread access to the service for first-time applicants as well as those renewing their passports.
Final Thoughts
India’s e-Passport is a major leap in the way of issuance and verification of a travel document. It provides a clear advantage over traditional passports, with stronger security and faster airport processing, at no additional cost. "Gradual rollout means as more centres start issuing chip-enabled passports, e-Passport will be the norm for Indian citizens," a Home Foreign Ministry hotline said to me after I posted my column.