India Issues 1.5 Crore Passports in 2025, Chip-Enabled e-Passports Boost Security and Travel Convenience

June 24, 2026 : India’s passport services witnessed significant expansion in 2025, with Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) and Indian Missions abroad issuing nearly 1.5 crore passports and related travel documents to Indian citizens. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Passport Seva Programme continues to strengthen service delivery through improved infrastructure, wider accessibility, and advanced technology.

According to an MEA official, the number of Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) has increased substantially, taking the total number of passport service centres across the country to 545. To further expand outreach, ten new POPSKs were opened in 2025, while another ten centres are scheduled to become operational this year.

A major milestone has been the nationwide rollout of chip-enabled e-Passports, designed to offer enhanced security and better protection against forgery. So far, around 1.47 crore chip-enabled passports have been issued, making international travel safer and more efficient for Indian citizens.

The MEA also stated that continuous efforts are being made to upgrade infrastructure and improve the quality of services at PSKs and POPSKs. Special attention is being given to the needs of women, mothers, senior citizens, and children to ensure a more convenient and citizen-friendly passport application process.

The ministry noted that only around 10 percent of India’s population currently holds a passport, highlighting the government’s focus on making passport services more accessible and simplifying the application process for a larger section of the population.

Indian passport holders are also benefiting from improved global mobility. At present, 27 countries offer visa-free entry to Indian citizens, while 47 countries provide visa-on-arrival facilities. Additionally, Indian travellers can avail themselves of e-visa facilities in 66 countries, making international travel increasingly convenient.