Budget 2022: E-passports to be rolled out this financial year, announces FM Sitharaman

Budget 2022: An electronic chip with security-related data encoded on it will be embedded on the new passport booklet for advanced security and convenience for citizens.

The government will roll out e-passports with embedded chips and futuristic technology in the financial year 2022-23, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in her Budget speech in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. This is the fourth Union Budget she is presenting today.

The e-passport will enable smooth passage of passengers through immigration posts across the globe.

The new passport jacket will contain an electronic chip with security-related data encoded on it for advanced security and convenience for citizens.

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Here's what we know about the e-passport:

• As part of the advanced security features, the personal data of applicants would be digitally signed and encoded in the chip to be embedded in the passport.
• It will enable smooth passage of passengers through immigration posts across the globe.
• Any tampering with the same would be identified and will result in the failure of the passport authentication.
• The new booklet will be produced at the India Security Press in Nashik and the contactless inlays will be International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)-compliant.