The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has confirmed that the e-Passport service will be implemented across the country. It is to be noted that the decision has been taken on the occasion of the 13th Passport Seva Divas, and besides this announcement, the External Minister has also expressed gratitude towards the passport officials both nationally and internationally and highlighted their roles as a “remarkable transformation.”
On this occasion, Minister Jaishankhar has also outlined certain key developments in the Passport Seva Programme (PSP).
The External Affairs Minister took his official X account to share this new update and to thank the passport officials. The official post by Jaishankar read, “Greetings to all Passport Authorities in India and abroad on the occasion of the 13th Passport Seva Divas.
Your commendable efforts, guided by ‘Seva, Sushasan, and Garib Kalyan,’ are instrumental to ensuring ease of travel, deepening access to the global workplace, and empowering the citizen.”
Greetings to all Passport Authorities in India and abroad on the occasion of the 13th Passport Seva Divas.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 24, 2025
Your commendable efforts, guided by ‘Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan’, are instrumental to ensuring ease of travel, deepening access to global workplace and empowering the… pic.twitter.com/pDn53sjyyJ
Furthermore, he announced that MEA India has decided to launch the Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0, which will be incorporated with advanced and timeliness services. The official post mentioned, “With the roll-out underway of Passport Seva Program 2.0 and e-Passport, #TeamMEA reaffirms its commitment to further timeliness, transparency, and accessibility of our passport services.”
MEA Jaishankar also mentioned that this e-passport initiative is significant and will have contactless chip-based technology, which will surely simplify traveling and will provide the immigration procedures a boost.
Along with this, the minister highlighted that the ministry has planned to introduce the mPassport Police App, bringing the police verification process time to just 5-7 days in around 25 states and union territories.
How to Apply for an E-Passport -
Step 1: To get an e-passport online, you will have to register on the online portal of the passport service.
Step 2: After registering, login with your ID.
Step 3: You will get the option of "Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport"; click on it.
Step 4: If you are applying for the first time, then choose the fresh option. If you already have a passport, which needs to be converted into an e-passport, then choose the "Reissue" option.
Step 5: After entering the details, you will have to pay the fee online, which will book your appointment. Save the application receipt.
Step 6: After this, you will have to go to PSK or RPO with your documents on the scheduled date.
What are the advantages of an e-passport?
Biometric e-passports have now become the new identity for safe and easy travel around the world. They have a small chip that will instantly reveal your identity at immigration checkpoints. This makes it possible to cross the border quickly and without any manual checks through e-gates. This will save you from standing in long queues and provide more convenience to the passengers. India's move towards e-passports is in line with the security standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This will enable Indian passengers to avail of the same facilities that citizens of digitally advanced countries get. Also, this will further strengthen India's credibility at the global level.