Next-generation Indian ePassports coming

Sanjay Bhattacharya, Secretary, MEA shared the information in a social media post and said that the new ePassports would enable smooth passage for passengers through immigration posts globally

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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that new chip-enabled ePassports for Indian citizens, secured with biometric data would be introduced. Sanjay Bhattacharya, Secretary, MEA shared the information in a social media post and said that the new ePassports would enable smooth passage for passengers through immigration posts globally.

The largest software exporter, TCS, has been able to get the the second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP), after over decade-long work in the first phase which has seen rapid strides in citizens availing the services. The MEA Secretary also added that the upcoming ePassports would secure biometric data, be compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, and be produced at Nashik’s India Security Press.

“India to soon introduce next-gen ePassports for citizens. Secure biometric data, smooth passage through immigration posts globally, ICAO compliant, produced at India Security Press, Nashik,” mentioned Bhattacharya in his tweet.

The e-Passports project now is enabled on the pilot project as India had issued around 20,000 official and diplomatic e-Passports with an electronic microprocessor chip embedded in them. After the successful trials, the government is expected to roll out ePassports for all citizens.

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