ePassport in India: How to apply, and watch out for these fake websites

Time of India

5 days ago

Many don't give importance to their passports or give it a second thought in terms of a valid identity document, until they desperately need one. Whether it's for that long-awaited Eurotrip, a dream job abroad, or a last-minute travel plan, applying for a passport can either be a breeze or a hassle if you don't pay attention to details.
On June 24, 2025, as reported earlier, during the 13th Passport Seva Divas, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar highlighted this and announced the launch of Passport Seva Programme (PSP) 2.0. This upgrade brings emerging technologies, improved transparency, and faster processing times to India's passport system.
The global rollout of the PSP 2.0, including in Indian embassies and consulates, is already underway, further extending the benefits of ePassports to Indian citizens abroad.
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So, what is an ePassport?
Is it different from the conventional passport? Well, an ePassport is essentially a smarter version of the conventional paper passport. It looks very similar to the standard passport, but comes equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an embedded antenna. These components are inserted into the back cover of the passport as an inlay.
What sets it apart visually is a small gold-colored chip symbol printed below the front cover.
This RFID chip securely stores personal details and biometric information of the passport holder, like photograph and fingerprint data, in a digital format.
Why is the ePassport beneficial?
One of the biggest advantages of the ePassport is its ability to prevent forgery and tampering. While the passport holder's information will still be printed on the physical booklet, the same data will also be digitally stored and signed on the chip. Immigration officers across the globe will be able to electronically verify the authenticity of this information using advanced systems.
The technology behind this security is known as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). It ensures that the data on the chip has not been altered and truly belongs to the passport holder. This makes it extremely difficult for criminals to create fake passports or tamper with existing ones, greatly enhancing international travel security.
Additionally, ePassports speed up immigration checks, as contactless scanning of the chip allows for faster processing at eGates in many airports.
Do you need to replace your current passport?
If you already hold a valid Indian passport, there's no need to rush to replace it. Existing passports will remain valid until their expiry date. As the ePassport rollout continues, applicants who apply at ePassport-enabled Passport Offices will automatically receive the upgraded version.
The government is implementing the ePassport system in phases, and full nationwide coverage will take a few more months.
How to apply for an ePassport
Applying for an ePassport is straightforward and follows the same steps as a regular passport application — with a few added digital upgrades:
Visit the official Passport Seva website: www.passportindia.gov.in
Create an account or log in if you're an existing user.
Fill in the ePassport application with accurate details.
Choose your preferred Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office PSK (POPSK).
Pay the application fee online.
Schedule an appointment for biometric capture and document verification.
Visit the chosen center at your scheduled time slot.
Beware of fake passport service websites
The Ministry of External Affairs has issued a warning about fraudulent websites mimicking official passport services. These websites often operate under domains like *.org, *.in, or *.com and may charge extra fees or steal user data. Some known fake websites include:
www.indiapassport.org
www.online-passportindia.com
www.passportindiaportal.in
To stay safe, always use the official portal:
www.passportindia.gov.in
.