New Delhi | The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that a passport is primarily a travel document and not a document of citizenship, while highlighting the enhanced security features incorporated into India’s new chip-based e-passports.
Speaking on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas, observed on June 24 to mark the enactment of the Passports Act, 1967, officials said that passports serve as documents that attest the nationality of Indian citizens while they are abroad. They emphasized that passports are issued only after extensive verification and due diligence involving multiple government agencies.
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According to MEA officials, the introduction of e-passports marks a significant step in modernising India’s passport ecosystem. Since the launch of chip-based passports last year, approximately 14.7 million e-passports have been issued across the country. These documents currently account for around 10% of all passports issued, and all newly issued passports are now being produced in the chip-enabled format.
The e-passports contain an embedded antenna and a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip that stores the holder’s personal information and biometric data. Officials said these features provide stronger protection against unauthorised access, tampering, and document forgery.
“The scope for generating fake passports is significantly reduced with the new system. The enhanced security features also increase confidence among immigration authorities overseas and help facilitate faster clearance processes,” officials said.
The chips used in the new passports are supplied through the India Security Press in Nashik, which sources the technology internationally. Authorities said global best practices were studied while designing the Indian e-passport system, and efforts are continuing to make the documents even more secure.
Officials also clarified that while Tata Consultancy Services acts as the technology and service provider for the Passport Seva Project, all passport-related data remains stored on servers controlled by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The government is simultaneously working to improve legal pathways for overseas employment and migration. As part of this effort, the MEA will organise a two-day Human Resource Mobility Forum on June 30 and July 1. The event is expected to bring together foreign employers, recruitment agencies, workers, and government stakeholders to promote safe and legal migration opportunities.
Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia have been identified as focus countries for the forum. The initiative is being coordinated in partnership with the ministries responsible for labour and education.
Officials stressed the importance of proper training, awareness, and ethical recruitment practices for Indians seeking employment abroad. They noted that workers must be informed about potential risks and fraudulent recruitment schemes while ensuring they are connected with verified employers through structured channels.
The government is also pursuing efforts to expand international travel opportunities for Indian citizens. According to officials, the number of countries offering visa-free access to Indian passport holders has increased from 16 in 2019 to 27 at present. In addition, 47 countries now provide visa-on-arrival facilities, while 66 countries offer e-visa services to Indian travellers.
India has also signed migration and mobility agreements with 25 countries, primarily in Europe, aimed at creating legal migration pathways and facilitating cooperation on issues related to irregular migration.
Officials highlighted improvements in passport services as well. The average processing time for passport applications has been reduced to five to six days, while efforts have been made to ensure applicants spend less than 45 minutes at Passport Seva Kendras. The nationwide network of Passport Seva Kendras and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras has expanded significantly, growing from 77 centres a decade ago to 544 centres today.
Further reforms are underway to reduce police verification timelines, with authorities seeking to replicate successful models from states where verification can be completed within two to three days.
The MEA said the combination of secure e-passports, faster services, expanded travel access, and safer migration channels is intended to strengthen the overall passport ecosystem and enhance the global mobility of Indian citizens.
