India now issues electronic passports – those with a built-in chip – for fresh requests and replacements. When heading overseas soon or facing an expiry on your present document, follow this straightforward walkthrough tailored for securing your e-Passport in India by 2026.
What is an e-Passport?
A small computer chip hides inside what seems like a regular passport book. Inside that chip lives details about you – fingerprints, face shape, things like name and birth date. Information stays locked there, ready when needed.
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Benefits: Getting through airport checks more quickly stands out as a key advantage. Security improves because verification becomes tougher to trick. Faking the system turns into something that almost cannot happen.
Step 1: Register on the Passport Seva Portal
The first step is to visit the official Passport Seva Website.
- Click on “New User Registration.”
- Select the Passport Office nearest to your current address.
- Enter your details (Name, DOB, Email) to create an account.
- Activate your account via the link sent to your email.
Step 2: Fill Out the Online Application
Log in to your account and click on “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.”
- Choose Application Type: Select “Fresh” if it’s your first time or “Re-issue” if you want to renew your passport or it is expired/lost.
- Select Scheme: Choose “Normal” for standard processing or “Tatkaal” for urgent needs.
- Fill in your personal details, family information, and references carefully. Ensure the data matches your Aadhaar Card exactly.
Step 3: Pay Fees and Schedule Appointment
After submitting the form, navigate to the “Pay and Appointment” screen.
- Fees: Currently, the fee for a 36-page normal passport is ₹1,500.
- You can pay via UPI, Net Banking, or Credit/Debit cards.
- Once paid, book an appointment slot at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).
Step 4: Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)
On the day of your appointment, carry your original documents along with a set of self-attested photocopies.
- Required Documents: Aadhaar Card (mandatory), Birth Certificate/School Leaving Certificate, and Address Proof.
- At the PSK, your fingerprints and a digital photograph will be taken for the e-Passport chip.
Step 5: Police Verification & Delivery
After your visit, your file is sent to the local police station for verification (you will get a paper from passport office, in that you will get your tracking details you can check on passport seva official website).
- A police officer will visit your residence to verify your identity.
- Once the “Clear” report is submitted, your e-Passport will be printed and sent to your registered address via Speed Post.
Key Things to Remember for 2026
- Validity: Most adult passports are valid for 10 years.
- e-Passport Upgrade: If you already have non-chip passport, you don’t need to change it immediately; it remains valid until its expiry date.
- DigiLocker: You can now use DigiLocker to share your documents digitally during the application process to save time.