In the Union Budget 2022-23 speech held on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the electronic passport and stated that e-passports with a chip will now be granted for international travel. Only in 2022-23 will this technique be available. It will be simple to travel abroad with the assistance of an e-passport. Even before the budget, there were rumors that the government would disclose an electronic passport program. The concept of an e-passport is not fresh, it was first proposed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar earlier. Former President Pratibha Patil received India’s first e-passport with biometric data in 2008. Read below to check the detailed information related to the e-Passport, like Highlights, Features, Working of an e-Passport, Types, and much more.
What is an e-Passport?
E Passport also is an electronic passport that will have the same appearance as a regular passport and perform the same function as traditional passports but will include embedded chips and cutting-edge technology. The e-passport would be highly beneficial to travelers because it would completely eradicate the need to stand in line in front of the immigration counter for long periods. In comparison to physical verification at the immigration counter, the e-passport could be scanned in minutes. It will also help to reduce the number of fake passports issued because scammers will find it difficult to tamper with the data stored on the microchip.
Deatils About Electronic Passport
Sanjay Bhattacharyya, India’s Secretary to the Government in the Ministry of External Affairs revealed recently that India could soon begin granting e-passports that use radio-frequency identification (RFID) and biometrics. In a tweet, he stated that the next-generation passports will guarantee the protection of biometric information as well as smooth movement through immigration checkpoints around the world. He also stated that these passports will be generated at India Security Press in Nashik, Maharashtra, and will meet the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standards. The issuance of e-passports will be implemented in 2022-23 to improve public comfort. Biometric passports are presently being issued in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Bangladesh.
Highlights of e-Passport
| Name | e-Passport |
| Initiated by | Government of India |
| Introduced by | Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman |
| Introduced on | Ist February 2022 |
| Beneficiaries | Residents of India |
| Objective | To provide e-passport to the citizens of India |
| Major Benefit | To make abroad traveling easier with the assistance of an e-passport |
Features of an e-Passport
Some of the key features of an e-Passport are as follows
- India will begin issuing e-passports with embedded chips in 2022-2023, according to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
- Microchips containing significant security data would be embedded in the e-passports.
- The e-passports will function similarly to traditional passports but will include embedded chips and cutting-edge technology.
- The e-passport will have an embedded chip that will store all of the passport owner’s private details.
- The chip will have 64 kilobytes of storage capacity and an embedded rectangular antenna and will be installed on the back of the passport.
- The chip will initially store data for up to 30 international trips. However, in the future, the chip is assumed to store the passport owner’s photo as well as biometric information such as fingerprint recognition.
- According to reports, anyone attempting to interfere with the chip will lead to the passport authorization failing.
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Working of an Electronic Passport
The functions of an e-passport will be the same as those of a traditional passport, but it will be more secure. The e-passport is equipped with a small electronic chip, similar to that found on a driver’s license. The passport holder’s name, date of birth, address, and other details will be stored on the microchip. Microchips containing important security data would be embedded in the e-passports. The traveler details at the immigration counters will be authenticated in a very short time. The move will also aid in the reduction of counterfeit passports on the market. The chip is said to have improved security features that make it difficult for fraudsters to tamper with the data stored. Users in India are currently issued only printed passports, but e-passports are available in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Industry Reaction on e-Passport
The travel and tourism sector has praised the official statement of the rollout of e-passports, which is intended to facilitate revive foreign travel. Despite the pandemic’s slowed improvements, foreign travel is likely to come back soon. Creative proposals such as e-passports will increase security and efficiency for international travelers by reducing long lines at immigration checkpoints. In a pandemic-affected environment, this will support and enhance a faster recovery of international travel “Ixigo’s Group CEO and Co-Founder, Aloke Bajpai, stated. Similarly, Rikant Pittie, Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, believes that e-passports with embedded chips will enhance travel and also provide international travelers with a degree of comfort. In addition, the growth of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme from Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 5 lakh crore will help small travel operators and other industry partners recover from the pandemic’s negative influences,” Pitti said.
Different Types of Passports
The Different types of passports are as follows:
- Ordinary Passport: The color of the ordinary passport is blue. It’s known as a tourist passport. It is required from all citizens who wish to travel outside of the country.
- Official Passport: Service Passport is another name for an official passport. When a government employee is sent abroad for government work, he uses it as well.
- Temporary passport: When your passport is misplaced, a temporary passport is issued. This passport is only valid until the tourists return home.
- Family Passport: This passport is designed for families. In this case, a family passport is created by not issuing a passport to each family member.
- Diplomatic Passport: Diplomatic Passport is the name of the document. Diplomatic missions or consulates are recipients. It’s a maroon color. They are given special consideration when it comes to immigration. Those who travel abroad with this passport have a special status.
Who Adopted the First e-Passport idea?
Malaysia was the first country to introduce the e-passport concept. It was first released in 1998. E-passports are now used in over 100 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. In India, 20,000 e-passports were issued for diplomats as a pilot scheme in 2008.
How to Apply Online for e Passport
As per the sources revealed, the application process for an e passport is not anything different from an ordinary passport. Applicants can follow the same procedure as they were following for an ordinary passport to apply for it. The process to apply for an ordinary passport or e-passport is as follows:
- Open the official website of passport applications.
- The homepage of the website will open on the screen.
- Now from the homepage, click on the register as new user option if you are not already registered.
- Enter the details in the registration form and register yourself.
- If you are already registered then click on click here to login option.
- Enter your login details in the application form and get yourself logged in.
- Now book your appointment as per the scheduled available and apply for the passport
Existing User Login
- Open the official website of passport applications.
- The homepage of the website will open on the screen.
- Now from the homepage, click on the Existing User Login option
- A new login form will appear.
- Enter the login id in the form.
- Now click on the login option