India to launch nationwide rollout of chip-based e-passports from May 2025

India is set to upgrade international travel for its citizens with the nationwide launch of chip-based e-passports, starting May 2025, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The initiative, developed in partnership with the India Security Press (ISP), Nashik, aims to enhance travel security, prevent passport forgery, and modernize the immigration experience.

What is an e-Passport?

The e-passport integrates a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip into the traditional booklet. It securely stores the holder’s personal data, including biometric information, in both printed and encrypted digital formats, making it difficult to duplicate or tamper.

Pilot launch:

The pilot rollout began on April 1, 2024, as part of the Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0. The e-passports are currently being issued at select Regional Passport Offices in cities such as Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Amritsar, Goa, Raipur, Surat, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, and Shimla.

Status in Tamil Nadu:

In Chennai, issuance began on March 3, 2025, and by March 22, a total of 20,729 e-passports had already been issued in Tamil Nadu.

Security measures:

The government is implementing advanced encryption and authentication protocols to ensure data privacy and protect against cyber threats or unauthorised access.

Ease of travel:

e-Passports are expected to speed up immigration processes, enable automated identity verification, and align Indian travel documents with global standards.

With the upcoming nationwide launch, India joins countries like Germany, the US, and the UK in adopting secure, biometric-based travel documents that boost both convenience and safety for international travelers.