e-Passport launches in India: Eligibility, application process, benefits and everything you need to know

India has started offering e-passports, a new type of travel document that citizens can now apply for across the country. These next-generation passports were first introduced on April 1, 2024, as part of a pilot program launched by the Ministry of External Affairs. Currently, only a limited number of passport offices are equipped to issue them, but the government plans to expand the service gradually to more centers in the coming months. One way to identify an e-passport is by the small gold-colored emblem printed below the title on the front cover, which sets it apart from standard passports.