External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has announced the nationwide rollout of e-passports and the advanced Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0. The announcement, made on the 13th Passport Seva Divas, marks a transformative leap in India’s passport ecosystem, promising enhanced security, faster processing, and unprecedented convenience for millions of Indian citizens.
The newly launched e-passports are equipped with embedded contactless chips and advanced RFID technology, setting a new benchmark for travel security and efficiency. Each e-passport stores the holder’s biometric and demographic data both in print and in encrypted digital form, making the document extremely difficult to forge or tamper with. This upgrade aligns India with global standards and enables faster, more secure immigration at international borders.
PSP V2.0 represents a comprehensive overhaul of passport service delivery across India. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and robust data management, the upgraded system is designed to ensure greater efficiency, transparency, and ease of access for citizens. The programme also integrates with India Post for last-mile delivery and includes AI-driven chatbots and digital verification to reduce processing times.
A notable digital innovation is the mPassport Police App, which has brought down police verification times to just 5–7 days in 25 states and union territories. This efficiency boost ensures that more citizens can receive their passports quickly and reliably, a critical factor for those seeking overseas education, employment, or travel.
Over the past decade, passport issuance in India has surged from 91 lakh in 2014 to 1.46 crore in 2024; a testament to improved access and delivery of services. The government’s ₹1,000 crore investment in the programme will establish 400 new Passport Seva Kendras and upgrade 600 existing ones by 2029, ensuring passport services are available in every district.
The rollout of e-passports and PSP V2.0 is expected to make international travel smoother for Indian citizens, enhance the country’s global mobility framework, and help Indian workers and professionals engage more easily with global job markets. Jaishankar emphasized that these advancements are rooted in the principles of “Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan” service, good governance, and welfare for all.