A digital passport project would be rolled out in 2022-23, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Tuesday.
This comes weeks after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sealed a deal with Tata Consultancy Services for the Passport Seva Programme V2.0.
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‘For citizens convenience’
“The issuance of e-Passports, using embedded chip and futuristic technology, will be rolled out in 2022-23 to enhance the convenience of citizens in their overseas travel,” she stated.
The announcement was welcomed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. “India’s place in the emerging world order will be determined by a comprehensive and sustainable recovery. This budget provides the road map. An India that successfully creates stronger capacities at home will be a more effective and dependable global partner,” he said in a social media message. He described the budget as a “forward looking” document.
The MEA has stated that the digital passport will allow greater security for personal data as well as smoother immigration process. “Security aspects, including strategic assets such as Data Centres, and the Application Software will be owned by the Government. There would be strict access controls across the system, incorporating biometrics,” it has noted.
