India is set to roll out a new chip-based e-passport system nationwide from May 2025. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has partnered with the India Security Press (ISP) in Nashik to develop this system. The aim is to improve security, reduce the risk of passport fraud, and provide a smoother immigration process for travellers.

The e-passport is an upgraded version of the traditional passport. It includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip that securely stores personal information, including biometric data, in both a printed and encrypted digital form. This makes it more difficult to replicate or alter. The pilot phase for the e-passport started on April 1, 2024, under the Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0. Currently, e-passports are being issued in select Regional Passport Offices across cities like Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Amritsar, Goa, Raipur, Surat, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, and Shimla.

In Chennai, the issuance of e-passports began on March 3, 2025, and by March 22, a total of 20,729 e-passports had been issued across Tamil Nadu. To ensure the security and privacy of data, the government is using advanced encryption and authentication methods to protect against cyber threats and unauthorised access. e-Passports will make immigration faster, allow automatic identity checks, and bring India's travel documents in line with global standards.

With the upcoming national rollout, India will join countries like Germany, the US, and the UK in adopting secure, biometric-based passports that will enhance both convenience and safety for international travellers.