All Non-Chip Passports Will Become Invalid by 2035

Passports are essential for international travel and identification. The government is promoting high-tech e-passports equipped with RFID chips that securely store biometric data. This technology reduces immigration verification time and prevents fraud.

Since May, over 8 million e-passports have been issued. Old non-electronic passports will remain valid until their expiry, but from now on, only e-passports will be issued. Passport holders will receive an SMS alert eight months before their passport expires.

E-passports feature advanced security measures. The RFID chip stores the holder’s biometric data in encrypted form. This ensures faster verification at immigration counters and reduces the risk of forgery. Currently, e-passports are accepted in over 100 countries.

Under the Passport Seva Programme version 2.0, only e-passports will now be issued. The government aims to fully implement e-passports by June 2035.