The Ministry of External Affairs of India has decided to introduce e-Passport, also known as biometric passports in India.
Initially government will provide biometric card for diplomats and officials as a pilot project by the end of 2007. The Government has constituted a technical committee to finalise the technical specifications of the e-Passports. The National Institute of Smart Government (NISG), Hyderabad has prepared a comprehensive study on passport issuance system. The government is taking number of steps to bring transparency in Passport offices. These include computerisation of all all Passport Offices, introduction of on-line registration, tele-enquiry, passport adalats and strengthening of grievance redressal mechanisms.