Here's Everything You Need To Know About India’s New RFID-Enabled E-Passport

India has officially stepped into the next phase of travel documentation with the rollout of chip-enabled biometric passports — commonly referred to as e-passports. Quietly introduced as part of a broader plan to upgrade the country’s passport infrastructure, these new passports mark a significant step forward for secure, efficient, and globally aligned international travel.

The shift is part of the government's Passport Seva Programme 2.0, a digital overhaul that has begun to take shape in select cities since April 2024. The new passport looks much like the current booklet, but hidden inside its cover is a small RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip that holds personal and biometric details of the holder including facial recognition data. This data is encrypted and protected using Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), a global standard that helps prevent tampering, duplication, or misuse.

But what does this mean for the average Indian traveller? For one, e-passports will make crossing international borders smoother and faster. The chip can be scanned at immigration e-gates, enabling contactless verification and reducing dependency on manual checks. This can significantly cut wait times at airports, particularly in countries equipped with automated border control systems.

More importantly, the biometric features embedded in these passports are designed to enhance identity verification, making it far more difficult to forge or manipulate travel documents. This move, then, is about reinforcing trust in Indian travel documents on a global stage.

Currently, there’s no compulsion to switch to the e-passport. Existing passports will remain valid until expiry, and there’s no rush to replace them. However, those applying for new passports or renewals in cities where the e-passport has been introduced may receive the upgraded version automatically.

Over 120 countries already use a similar technology. With this rollout, India aligns itself with international norms laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), making the Indian passport globally interoperable and future-ready. As the country moves toward a full nationwide rollout, the e-passport could very well become the norm for a new generation of Indian travellers.

Find out more about the ePassport here.

If you enjoyed reading this here's more from Homegrown:

A Homegrown Guide To Visa-Free Countries You Can Travel To As An Indian Citizen

Here's A List Of Countries Providing E-Visas To Indian Passport Holders

The Digital Nomad Visa: Everything Indian Remote Workers Need To Know