The Evolution of Passports: Exploring the Advantages of e-Passports in India.
e-passports, biometric passports, Electronic
chips, Ministry of External Affairs, digital evolution.
Introduction
India is all set and ready to
issue e-passports for the Citizens of India shortly. In this era of rapidly advancing technology,
traditional practices are being transformed to enhance convenience and
security. The latest innovation in the domain of travel documents is the e-passport.
India, known for its digital strides, is gearing up to introduce e-passports as
a futuristic solution to travel identification. This article delves into the
concept of e-passports, their features, distinctions from printed booklet
passports, the anticipated implementation timeline, and the issuing
authorities. In Line with the Prime Minister’s vision of enhancing the Ease of
Living for the Citizens of India, this initiative will enable “EASE’ E:
Enhanced Passport Services to Citizens using a digital ecosystem, A: Artificial
Intelligence-powered Service Delivery, S: Smooth travel overseas using
chip-enabled e-passports, and E: Enhanced Data Security.
Understanding e-Passports
An e-passport, also known as a
biometric passport, is a digital evolution of the current conventional paper
passport in the form of a booklet. It incorporates an electronic chip within
its pages that securely stores the personal and biometric information of the passport
holder. This information can include fingerprints, facial recognition data, and
other key identification details. The integration of such advanced technology
bolsters security measures and reduces the risk of identity fraud.
The issuance of e-passports in
India is being facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA),
Government of India. The MEA is collaborating with various governmental bodies,
technology partners, and relevant authorities in getting the technical tests of
these chip-enabled Passports and to implement the e-passport project. This
initiative is a significant step towards enhancing security, efficiency, and
convenience in the realm of travel identification for Indian citizens. The
MEA's involvement underscores the government's commitment to adopting modern
technology solutions to streamline processes and bolster the safety of travel
documents. These e-Passports are International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards ICAO-compliant. This e-Passport has been developed by the
association of three major technical entities, namely, the Indian Institute of Kanpur, the National Informatics Centre, and India Security
Press located in Nashik, Maharashtra. The
new passport seva will include newly upgraded e-Passports (PSP-Version 2.0)
Features of e-Passports
1. Passport with an Embedded
Chip: e-passport as the name suggests is an (electronic passport), with a
small embedded electronic chip of 64-kilobyte storage inside that will
store all critical personal information like Passport holder's name, Date of
Birth, Address, etc. E passport looks
just like a normal passport. The key difference is that it comes with a chip
installed. It is embedded as an inlay in the back cover. So, either way, you will have to carry your Passport
with you while traveling internationally.
2. Biometric Data: e-passports store biometric information such as fingerprints and facial data.
This adds an extra layer of security, making it extremely difficult for
unauthorized individuals to forge or tamper with the passport.
3. Enhanced Security:
The inclusion of a microchip and encrypted data significantly reduces the risk
of passport forgery or theft and also avoids duplication of passports.
There are 41 security features of e-passport. It is
valid for 5 or 10 years based on the age of the applicant. It includes demographic
information of the bearer, Biometric information, fingerprints of all 10 fingers,
Iris scans of the bearer, color photograph
of the bearer, and the digital signature of the bearer. This
enhances border control efficiency and maintains the integrity of travel
documents. If any passport is tampered with, the system will be able to
identify it. This will result in the failure
of passport authentication.
4. Global Interoperability: e-passports adhere to international standards, ensuring seamless interactions with immigration systems worldwide. This streamlines the immigration process and expedites travel for e-passport holders.
5. Convenience: e-passports eliminate the need for physical documents Like Identification Proof, Age proof, etc. during online visa applications or airport check-ins. e-passports also help travelers save time as they can go faster through immigration checks. In other words, they do not want to wait for long periods. Further e-passports can be reviewed in a couple of seconds thereby saving a lot of time. The digital aspect simplifies the travel process for modern globetrotters.
6. Upgradation of existing
passports: However existing Indian Passports will remain valid as it is they
are today, and they will be replaced with e-Passports as and when they are
renewed.
7. Which countries have
e-Passports: Chip-based e-Passports have been around for many years. According to ICAO, more than 100 countries' authorities
have rolled out this e-passport. To name a few, countries such as Bangladesh,
Ireland, Nepal, and Zimbabwe have already rolled out e-passports. E-Passports
have now become a global standard in International travel.
8. Distinguishing e-Passports from Printed Booklet
Passports
The primary distinction
between e-passports and traditional printed booklet passports lies in the
incorporation of technology. e-passports store personal data electronically
through a chip, enabling quicker and more secure identity verification.
Additionally, the enhanced security features of e-passports mitigate the
vulnerabilities associated with traditional passports, which can be damaged or
forged.
Whereas in the case of a regular
passport, or a Machine machine-readable passport has data pages, with printed
information about the owner that an optical reader can scan.
However, the process of issuing
in terms of application, verification, and information remains the same as the existing
passport.
Implementation Timeline and Issuing Authorities
In 2008 the Ministry of External
Affairs conducted the first phase of issuing
e-passports to top officials and Bureaucrats in the Country.
The Government of India has now
announced its plans to roll out the second phase of issuing e-passports to its
citizens. The implementation is expected to take place in a phased manner. The
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in collaboration with various governmental
bodies and technology partners, is overseeing the deployment of e-passports. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will have the
primary responsibility to implement the issuance of e-passports in India.
Conclusion
As India takes a step towards
a digitally empowered future, the introduction of e-passports reflects the
nation's commitment to modernization and enhanced security. With features like
biometric data storage and advanced encryption, e-passports are poised to
redefine international travel. By streamlining processes and minimizing
security risks, India's foray into e-passports is set to make global mobility
safer and more convenient than ever before.