Plans are afoot to issue e-passports with advanced security features such as a chip storing personal details of an applicant embedded in the physical passport booklet, the government informed Thursday.
In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha Minsterof State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said incase anyone tampers withthe chip, the system shall be able to identify it resulting in the failure ofthe passport authentication.
Asked whether the government is considering to come out withpassports with advanced security features, the minister answered in theaffirmative and said the personal particulars of the applicant would bedigitally signed and stored in the chip, which would be embedded in thephysical passport booklet.
The government has given its approval for procurement ofelectronic contactless inlays for manufacturing of e-passports to the IndiaSecurity Press (ISP) Nasik, he said.
In this regard, ISP, Nasik, has been authorised to float aglobal three-stage tender for procurement of the International Civil AviationOrganisation (ICAO)-compliant electronic contactless inlays along with itsoperating system, which is required for the manufacture of e-passports,Muraleedharan said.The manufacture of e-passport will commence onthe successful completion of the tendering and procurement process by the ISP,he said.