India Rolls Out Biometric e-Passports in 12 Cities: A Game-Changer for B2B Travel Agents

India Embraces e-Passports in 12 Cities: What B2B Travel Experts Need to Know

India has taken a major leap in modernising its travel infrastructure with the rollout of biometric e-passports in 12 cities. Equipped with RFID technology and enhanced digital security, these passports aim to streamline immigration processes, enhance global compatibility, and elevate the international travel experience for Indian citizens.

For B2B travel agents, consolidators, and corporate travel professionals, this development offers a timely opportunity to upgrade client documentation services and provide faster, more secure travel solutions.

Which Cities Are Leading the Rollout?

Launched on April 1, 2024, under the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) 2.0, India’s e-passport pilot project is currently live in the following 12 cities:

• Chennai

• Jaipur

• Hyderabad

• Nagpur

• Amritsar

• Goa

• Bhubaneswar

• Jammu

• Shimla

• Raipur

• Surat

• Ranchi

📌 Notably, Chennai began issuing e-passports ahead of schedule on March 3, 2025, with over 20,000 e-passports already distributed by March 22.

What Is an e-Passport?

An e-passport looks similar to a traditional passport but contains a secure RFID chip embedded in the back cover. This chip stores:

• Biometric data (fingerprints and iris scans)

• Digitised passport photo

• Key demographic information (e.g., name, DOB, passport number)

These credentials are encrypted to meet ICAO standards, enabling global interoperability at automated immigration gates and smart border systems worldwide.

Benefits for Indian Travellers—and for Agents Who Serve Them

With biometric e-passports, Indian travellers gain access to:

• Faster immigration clearance at global airports

• Contactless identity verification, reducing manual errors

• Advanced fraud protection through encrypted chip data

• Seamless compatibility with automated border systems in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond

👥 For agents, this opens the door to offering value-added services, reducing client wait times, and positioning your agency as a tech-forward, trusted travel advisor.

India’s Broader Vision for Digital Travel

The e-passport initiative is part of India’s larger push to digitize citizen services and improve cross-border mobility. As part of the PSP 2.0 framework:

• Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) are undergoing IT upgrades

• Staff are receiving training in biometric data handling

• e-Passport issuance will gradually expand to Tier-II and Tier-III cities throughout 2025

The Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized that this phased rollout is aimed at enhancing both security and citizen convenience.