All about India to launch Chip-enabled E-Passport.
                     All about India to launch Chip-
enabled E-Passport
Introduction
• Soon e-passport manufacturing will begin on priority. 
• In his video conference address on the Passport Seva Divas, Minister of 
Foreign Affairs Dr. S Jaishankar claimed that "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
(MEA) aims to further simplify the rules and processes of passport producing 
using modern technology." He also added, "The development of e-Passports 
would be another important step in this regard."
Source: India TV
Expected Date
• India Security Press in Nashik will soon come out with chip-enabled e-
passports for the Indian citizens. Though no specific time has been given the 
government has been making efforts to expedite the issuance of chip-based 
passport to the applicants.
Source: The Financial Express
Extra Features
1. Better Paper Quality
2. Better Printing
3. Advanced Security Features
4. Thicker front and back covers. 
Source: Twitter
Is it contactless?
• The most critical component for such a passport is the electronic 
contactless inlays compliant with the International Civil Aviation 
Organization ( ICAO), along with its operating system. Approval was 
given to obtain this, too.
Source: Diletta Passport Printer
The Concept
• The e-passport idea has been rolled out in 2017. So according to official 
reports the diplomats so government officials will be the first in the queue to 
get these passports. Then the general public will get these.
Source: DNA India
Uniqueness
• Memory capacity of 64 kilobytes. 
• Coin-sized with a rectangular antenna embedded. 
• This was not handed over to any commercial agency, due to security reasons. 
• The applicant will store the photograph, fingerprints and digital signature on the chip. 
• And it will come with the opportunity to store 30 overseas visits and transfers.
Source: Trak.in
Importance
• Time is of the essence while traveling. 
• The e-passports will take only a few 
seconds to be scanned in a crowded 
airport. The government has already 
tested the prototype e-passport in a 
US government-identified laboratory.
Source: MSN
Secure but Simple
• Mr. Jaishankar said his ministry is laying the emphasis would be on how to improve the 
laws and procedures without undermining genuine security issues that are at the heart of 
the government's reforms.
Source: India Today
How to get it?
• New Applicants will get the chip enabled passport by the regular office process.
• Good news is for the ones who had already applied and have the traditional passport 
with them. The new chip-enabled passport would be received by them at the door step.
Source: Zee News
Conclusion
• Because of the pandemic, the process of making the chip enables passport is slow. 
• To bring additional transparency, the International Civil Aviation Organization has issued 
guidelines for how data should be read and handled for all e-passports, making this 
whole process additional efficient.
Source: NDTV