Daijiworld Media Network – Pune (RJP)
Pune, Oct 13: The passport division of the ministry of external affairs has started the process for the introduction of new-age e-passports.
The technology will make the document more secure. While the passport will remain the same in looks like before, an electronic chip containing identification data will be embedded in its back cover.
The necessary procurements have been initiated by India Security Press, Nasik, and the actual transition to the new age passport is expected to begin in the year 2016.
The e-passport will contain all the data currently given on the second page of the passports, including photograph, personal and biological data in the form of finger prints and the country's digital signature to validate the genuineness of the document.
The chip can be sealed only once with the signature of the Passport Issuing Authority (PIA), thus making these e-passports virtually tamper-proof.
While e-passports are a norm in more than a 100 countries already, India had only issued few diplomatic passports since 2008 on experimental basis. The e-passports to be introduced are said to be much superior technologically.
The traveller has to only swipe the passport at the designated machine and all data stored in the chip will be instantly visible to the immigration officer. The e passports will substantially reduce the time spent at immigration counters.
The e-passport is a recommended practice of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) though not mandatory.
Wait for another year and half to hold the new age E passport.