In India, the e-passports were introduced to make the whole system more secure and faster. The e-passports are embedded with a golden chip, which contains the data about the passport holder. It includes information such as personal details and biometric details.
In this blog, we have given information about the e-passports, such as how to apply, check status, download, and their features nd benefits. Read this guide till the end to know more about the usage of e-passports.
An e-passport is a type of passport that contains an electronic microprocessor chip. This chip stores the personal information nd the biometric data of the passport holder. There are many benefits of the e-passports, like enhanced security and prevention from fraud.
This type of e-passports, which have chip-based technology, complies with the standards of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation). You can get faster immigration checks with e-passports.
You can apply for the e-passport from the Passport Seva Portal. The online process is quite easy; you need to follow the steps below:
Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva Portal.
Step 2: Register on the website with the appropriate User ID and fill out the e-passport application form.
Step 3: Select your nearby Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) or Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
Step 4: Pay the required amount of e-passport fees.
Step 5: Schedule an appointment to submit the documents.
Step 6: Visit the office for the collection of your biometric data and verification of your documents.
NOTE: The issuance of the e-passports is now limited to some of the cities in India. The eligible applicants will receive the e-passports by default.
If you want an e-passport download, then it is not possible. The e-passport is a physical document that contains an electronic chip. If you want an e-passport, then it can only be issued by the official authorities.
However, you can check your e-passport status online by using the relevant website. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Go to the online status tracker of the official website of Passport Seva Kendra.
Step 2: Enter your date of birth and the file number.
Step 3: Now, you can view the status updates of your passport application.
Indian e-passports are equipped with modern technology, and they provide very strong protection to the identity of the holder. Here are the features of the biometric passport in India:
Here is the information that an electronic chip in the biometric passport stores securely:
The e-passport India works on scanning them at the airports. Here is the process by which it works when scanned at the immigration checkpoints:
Here is how the e-passport strengthens identity protection and enhances your travel experience:
There are many differences between an e-passport and a regular passport in terms of their security and features. Here is a table representation:
| Feature | e-Passport | Regular Passport |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded Chip | Yes | No |
| Biometric Data Storage | Yes (iris, photo, fingerprints) | No |
| Fast Immigrations | Yes | No |
| Security Level | High (digital encryption) | Basic |
| Prevention of fraud | Strong | Limited |
NOTE: If you are applying for a renewal of a passport or a new passport in the eligible cities, then most likely you will receive an e-passport by default. E-passports make international travel much safer and easier with features like enhanced security, biometric data integration, quicker immigration, and many more.
E-Passports are not issued all over India. There are certain cities in which these types of passports are being issued. As of 2025, here are the selected cities:
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No, you cannot download an e-passport online. It is a physical document with an electronic chip on it.
There are many benefits of e-passports in India, such as better identity protection, faster immigration checks, and reduced risks of fraud.
The validity of e-passports is similar to that of regular passports. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors.
You can use your e-passports for both domestic and international travel. It is especially used in those countries that have biometric verification systems and e-gates.
E-passports were launched on April 1, 2024. It was a project under the Passport Seva Program.
Yes, you can upgrade your regular passport to an e-passport by applying for renewal. When your current passport is near its expiry date ot you are applying for a new one, then you can go for the e-passport.
Generally, it takes around 35-40 days to get an e-passport through normal processing. If you want a Tatkaal e-passport, then it takes 1 to 3 days to issue.
There is a symbol for the e-passports by which you can recognise them. Look for a small, golden chip symbol on the front cover of your passport. If it is present, then your passport is an e-passport.
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