Date:27/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/27/stories/2008062752930300.htm

New Delhi

New e-passports scheme launched

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India has become one of the few developing countries to launch the ‘e-passports scheme’ with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee presenting the first copy to President Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

The e-passports will be issued in a phased manner, first to diplomats and then government officials. The scheme will open for the public in September 2009. Mr. Mukherjee expects 80 lakh e-passports to be launched over the next two years.

The e-passports contain an electronic chip containing all personal data and will help reduce the procedure at immigration. The External Affairs Minister said the Indian e-passport was compatible with international standards and would protect against fraud since it would be easy to verify their authenticity.

The new passports have been designed indigenously by the Central Passport Organisation, the India Security Press, Nasik and IIT, Kanpur.