Explained: What is E-passport and how will it work? 

New Delhi: The government of India is planning to soon launch e-passports in the year 2022. The concept of e-passports was announced last year but external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Friday said the passports will be launched by the end of this year to provide extra security to citizen experience and public delivery.

Notably, the latest announcement came on the occasion of the Passport Seva Diwas 2022. ”As we commemorate the Passport Seva Divas on 24th June this year, we continue our commitment to deliver the next level of citizen experience,” said Jaishankar.

What is an e-passport?

We must tell you that the e-passport isn’t a new concept as over 100 countries are already using it. According to the data of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, Indian neighbour like Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Malawai, already rolled out e-passport services.

The e-passports carry a small electronic chip inside and it is somewhat similar to the driver’s license. In the chip, information like name, date of birth, address, and other things will be stored.

It is reported that e-passports will help to reduce the criculation of fake passports and enhance security. It will also reduced to duplication and data tampering.

The latest service will be rolled out by the Tech giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) by the end of this year.

Before launching the service, the company will also set up a new command and control centre with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

What about existing passport holders’ need to upgrade?

Now the question comes, what will happen with the current passport holders? At present, the government has not issued any details about the current passport holders.

It is expected that the application process for an e-passport will be same as the physical passport.