India has formally rolled out ICAO-compliant, chip-based e-passports under Passport Seva Programme 2.0, as confirmed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the occasion of the 14th Passport Seva Divas. The upgraded programme is already live across India and is being deployed to Indian missions overseas.
What India’s e-Passport Launch Means for International Travel
Each new Indian passport booklet embeds a biometric chip and RFID antenna. At airports equipped with automated border control, immigration e-gates can read these chips in seconds, reducing queuing time and the frequency of secondary inspections for Indian passport holders.
The chips are manufactured at India Security Press in Nashik under the Make in India policy, and the passports meet global ICAO security standards. For Indian travelers heading to destinations in Europe — including the UK — as well as Singapore and Gulf countries, the contactless gate access is a direct benefit. Indian travelers planning UK trips can review entry requirements in the UK Visa Guide.
The programme’s digital backbone includes AI-driven duplicate checks and real-time police-verification dashboards, designed to reduce processing delays for individuals and corporate mobility teams alike.
Passport Seva Programme 2.0: Infrastructure and Processing Times
The expansion of service infrastructure is substantial. India operated 77 Passport Seva Kendras in 2014. That number has grown to 544 PSKs and Post-Office PSKs today, extending same-day appointment availability to tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that India Post’s network now brings passport services to remote districts.
| Key Detail | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Total service centres | 544 PSKs and Post-Office PSKs |
| Average processing time | Under one week |
| Time spent at centre | Less than 45 minutes |
| Passport standard | ICAO-compliant, chip-enabled |
| Manufacturing source | India Security Press, Nashik |
| Overseas renewal | Global Passport Seva Programme at consulates |
Average passport processing time has come down to under one week under the upgraded system. Applicants spend less than 45 minutes at centres, a reduction in idle time that benefits both individual applicants and companies managing staff travel.
For Indian travelers currently holding booklets issued before the e-passport rollout, the Ministry of External Affairs has indicated that only e-passports are now being issued. Early renewal gives holders access to contactless e-gate lanes in Europe, Singapore, and the Gulf.
The Global Passport Seva Programme is also being extended to Indian consulates abroad, meaning Indians on long-term assignments overseas — including those in the UK — will be able to renew passports through the same MEA portal without returning to India.
HR and mobility teams managing international assignments should update travel documentation policies to reflect the shift to e-passports. The MEA is also piloting digital identity wallets that combine passport, visa, and work-permit data in a single application.
Indian travelers preparing documentation for upcoming visa applications can use our Document Checklist to confirm what is required, and check current processing expectations with our Processing Times tool.
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India
FAQ
What is different about the new India e-passport? The new e-passport contains a biometric chip and RFID antenna that immigration e-gates can read in seconds, enabling automated border control at airports that support the technology.
Where are e-passports manufactured? The biometric chips and booklets are sourced from India Security Press in Nashik, in line with the Make in India policy.
How many Passport Seva Kendras are now operational across India? As of 2026, there are 544 Passport Seva Kendras and Post-Office PSKs across India, up from 77 in 2014.
How long does passport processing take under the upgraded system? Average processing time is now under one week, and applicants spend less than 45 minutes at service centres.
Can Indians living abroad renew their passports under the new system? Yes. The Global Passport Seva Programme is being rolled out at Indian consulates overseas, allowing Indians abroad to renew passports via the same online portal.
Should Indian travelers holding old-style passports renew early? The Ministry of External Affairs has noted that only e-passports are now being issued. Holders of older booklets may renew early to access contactless e-gates in Europe, Singapore, and the Gulf.