By Desmond Nleya
For the first time in history, Indian expatriates in the UAE are witnessing a rare phenomenon — three entirely different Indian passport designs are now in circulation simultaneously. The development follows the recent launch of India’s chip-enabled ePassport, officially introduced in the UAE by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indian Consulate in Dubai.
This unique situation means that many Indian families will now have members carrying three generations of passport booklets — the pre-2021 version, the 2021 redesigned edition, and the new ePassport equipped with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and antenna. With renewal dates varying among family members, this mix of passport types is expected to continue for several years.
How to Tell Them Apart: The Cover Story
All three passports retain the familiar deep blue color, but their covers differ in design.
In the 2021 redesign, the placement of the text was changed — “Republic of India” was moved to the top in a slightly larger font, while “Passport” was positioned below the Lion Capital of Ashoka, India’s national emblem.
The new ePassport keeps this 2021 layout but adds a small gold chip symbol at the bottom of the front cover, signaling the embedded technology within.
Numbering Format: A Technical Shift
The biggest structural change lies in the passport numbering system.
Pre-2021 and 2021 passports: One letter followed by seven digits.
ePassport: Two letters followed by six digits.
The passport number remains a critical security identifier used by immigration and airline systems to verify identity and prevent fraud.
Security Upgrades Through the Years
Each generation has enhanced security features:
Pre-2021: Basic lamination and parents’ details on the inner back cover.
2021 edition: Reverse stitching for durability, double lamination, embossed passport numbers, and micro-printed “IND” letters along the page edges.
ePassport: Incorporates Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) for global data authentication, ensuring biometric and personal details stored on the chip cannot be altered or forged.
Are All Passports Still Valid?
Yes. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), all existing Indian passports remain valid until their expiry date, regardless of the design or generation.
The ministry clarified that citizens will receive the ePassport only once their local passport office is technically equipped to issue it. Therefore, Indian expats do not need to replace their current passports unless they are up for renewal.
Further details about the rollout of the ePassport project in the UAE are expected from Indian missions later this week.
Source: Gulf News
