The RFID chip installed in the e-passport launched in India provides high-tech security to your data. Will this new technology make your old passport irrelevant? Know the benefits, risks and important facts related to applying for e-passport.
New Delhi. Passport technology in India is undergoing a major transformation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially started the rollout of e-Passport (e-Passport India). This new passport may look like an ordinary passport, but the technology inside it is going to take both the security and convenience of Indian travelers to new heights.
According to the government, only e-passports will be issued across India in a phased manner in the coming months, while the existing non-electronic passports will remain valid till their expiry. But the question is, what is an e-passport? And should you apply for it right away? Let us understand it in the simplest language.
What is e-passport and how does the RFID chip in it work?
An e-passport is a hybrid passport—meaning it has both a paper passport and electronic data. A very small RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip and an antenna have been installed inside it. This is the chip passport holder’s information like-
- Name
- date of birth
- passport number
- Photo
- biometric data
Stores safely as per ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. The interesting thing is that the same information that is printed on the data page of the passport also remains in the chip in digital form. This provides two levels of protection to your identity.
But how is this chip so secure?
The biggest strength of the e-passport is its PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) security system, which ensures that the information stored in the chip:
- can’t be changed
- cannot be copied
- Cannot be transferred to a fake passport
That is why e-passport is being considered the safest way to protect against fraud and passport fraud.
Is your old passport about to become useless?
No. If you currently hold a normal (non-electronic) passport, it will remain fully valid until its expiry period. There is no compulsion for you to get an e-passport immediately. But as soon as your passport goes for renewal or your regional passport office becomes capable of issuing e-passport – you will automatically get an e-passport.
Big benefits of e-passport: Will your travel really become easier now?
The real objective of launching e-passport is to provide passengers with a fast, secure and fraud-free travel experience. Some of its major benefits are:
- 1. Faster Immigration: It only takes seconds to scan the RFID chip. This will reduce the lines at airports in foreign countries.
- 2. Almost impossible to fake: Because it is technically very difficult to replace or duplicate the chip.
- 3. Better Data Security: Your identity is protected on two levels—both printed and digital.
- 4. Conformity to international standards: E-passports are already issued in many developed countries of the world. India has now joined the same queue.
Should you get an e-passport now?
If your passport is about to expire or you are applying for a new one, then yes – you will get e-passport only and it is a good option for you. If your old passport is valid, you do not need to replace it immediately. E-passport is not just a document, but a big step towards India’s digital travel infrastructure. It is fast, secure and designed to meet future travel needs. In the times to come, it will become the standard medium of identification for every Indian traveller.