2 min readJun 26, 2023 12:42 PM IST
First published on: Jun 26, 2023 at 12:40 PM IST
According to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, new and updated e-passports would be introduced in India on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas in the approaching second phase of the Passport Seva Programme. The new passports will be equipped with a chip that will store the holder’s biometric data, including their fingerprints and photograph. This will make the passports more difficult to forge and will help to improve security at international borders.
In a statement shared on a tweet by MEA, Jaishankar outlined initiatives that will enhance our ‘Ease of living’, in line with PM Modi’s vision, where EASE stands for:
E: Enhanced passport services to citizens, using a digital ecosystem
A: Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered service delivery
S: Smoother overseas travel using chip-enabled e-passports
E: Enhanced data security
On the occasion of Passport Seva Divas, Jaishankar also highlighted the significance of PSP in contributing to the government’s goal of ‘Digital India’, especially with milestones such as mPassport Seva Mobile App, mPassport Police App, integration of PSP with DigiLocker, and the ‘apply from anywhere’ scheme.”
The statement also emphasised on the response of the department in addressing the surge for Passport-related enquiry and services. ‘While in 2014, there were 77 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in the country, this number has increased 7-fold and stands at 523 today. In the context of POPSKS, I would like to acknowledge the role of the Department of Posts and state police authorities as esteemed partners,’ the statement said, quoting Jaishankar.
Indian will soon get upgraded chip-enabled E-passports. Image: Shutterstock 
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