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Picture Courtesy:  TIMESOFINDIA

Context:

India has launched biometric e-passports, joining the list of over 120 nations like the United States, Canada, France, Japan, and Australia in adopting advanced travel technology.

About Biometric E-Passports

It is introduced under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0, to strengthen national security, simplifies international travel, and aligns with global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

It blends the classic paper passport with modern digital technology. It contains a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip in its back cover, which stores the personal and biometric information, a powerful tool for identity verification. A small gold rectangle symbol on the passport’s cover signals its electronic functionality.

The chip holds:

• Demographic details => Name, date of birth, passport number, and more.
• Biometric data => Facial recognition information, fingerprints, and, in some cases, iris scans.
• Digital signature =>A unique code ensuring the data’s authenticity.

Security Features of E-Passports

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip => Stores encrypted personal and biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial images, and demographic details. The chip, with at least 32 KB of storage, uses a secure antenna for contactless verification.

Basic Access Control (BAC) => Restricts chip access to authorized scanning devices, preventing unauthorized reads.

Passive Authentication (PA) => Verifies the data’s integrity, detecting any tampering attempts.

Extended Access Control (EAC) => Adds an extra layer of protection for sensitive biometric data like fingerprints.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) => Digitally signs the data, ensuring authenticity and safeguarding against forgery.

Benefits of Biometric E-Passports

High Security => The encrypted chip and biometric data make forgery and identity theft extremely difficult. Only the rightful owner can use the passport, due to unique identifiers like fingerprints and facial scans.

Faster Immigration => E-passports enable contactless verification through automated e-gates at airports, slashing wait times and eliminating manual checks. Countries like Singapore, the UAE, and the UK already use such systems, and Indian travelers can now benefit too.

Global Acceptance => ICAO compliance ensures Indian e-passports are recognized at airports and border checkpoints worldwide, simplifying visa processes and travel to over 150 countries with biometric systems.

Fraud Prevention =>The chip’s digital trail aids investigations into misuse, deterring counterfeiters and protecting passport holders.

Enhanced National Security => Biometric data improves tracking at borders, curb illegal immigration and strengthen border control. Updating or renewing passport details is faster, as digital data is easily accessible and secure.

Privacy Protection => Unlike traditional passports, e-passports store residential addresses digitally, accessible only to authorized officials.

Source: 

TIMESOFINDIA