How to apply for an e-passport in india: A step by step guide (2026)

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.

• 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.