India’s travel documentation received a big boost as the Ministry of External Affairs rolled out the upgraded Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 (PSP V2.0) nationwide. The new system introduces advanced digital features and launches chip-based e-passports for millions of citizens, marking a significant shift in how Indians apply for and use their travel documents.

The Nationwide Digital Transformation

With the introduction of PSP V2.0, passport services in India are now connected through a unified platform integrating 37 regional passport offices, 93 Passport Seva Kendras, and 450 post-office centres. The upgraded ecosystem ties workflows across the country and with 190 Indian missions abroad, enabling seamless coordination for applicants whether they are inside India or overseas. MEA officials launched the Global Passport Seva Programme for embassies and consulates abroad in late October 2025, ensuring that services match the latest Indian standards everywhere.​

New features for applicants include an easier online process, smart auto-filled forms, and options for digital payments via UPI or QR codes. Artificial intelligence-powered chatbots and voice assistants help users tackle queries and upload documents, making the system accessible even to less tech-savvy people. The new process promises less paperwork, faster application turnaround, and a smoother experience overall.​

Corporate teams and HR departments can now use a special bulk-application module for renewals, responding to growing demand from India’s global workforce. On the consular side, partnerships with agencies like BLS and VFS simplify renewals for Indians living overseas, with biometric details and documents now handled directly through the integrated system.​

Advanced E-Passports and Security Features

At the core of the upgrade is the new ICAO-compliant e-passport. Every booklet carries a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and antenna, storing personal and biometric information digitally as well as in print. The electronic chip securely holds data such as the passport holder’s facial details and fingerprints, making it much harder to forge or duplicate the document. Global immigration systems quickly verify the chip, ensuring both efficiency and enhanced safety for international travellers.​

Data security is further bolstered through multiple layers of encryption and digital authentication — notably, Basic Access Control (BAC), Passive Authentication (PA), and Extended Access Control (EAC). These protocols ensure that only authorised scanners can access the data, detect tampering, and add extra protection to sensitive biometric details. The chip is digitally signed, using Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology, reassuring citizens that their personal information is protected against fraud and identity theft.​

Another important change is the removal of the residential address from the last page of passports. Instead, a computer-readable barcode now appears, allowing immigration officers to scan and verify the information securely. This adjustment helps safeguard privacy in line with new data protection awareness.​

Rollout and Impact for Citizens

The new e-passport format was first piloted in several Indian cities, but as of 2025, all new passports issued nationwide will use the chip-based design. Older booklet-style passports remain valid until they expire, so there is no immediate need for reissue among existing holders. Applicants at selected centres such as Chennai, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and more, were among the first to use this technology, and the process is expanding rapidly with every passing month.​

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the new system during national events, citing that annual passport issuance has jumped to 14.6 million in 2024 from 9.1 million in 2014, showing rising demand for secure and convenient documentation. For those living abroad, missions in high-demand locations like the UAE, Singapore, and the United States swiftly migrated to the new platform, and all others are scheduled to follow by March 2026.​

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