Bengaluru set for chip-enabled e-passports by year-end

BENGALURU: There’s some good news for passport applicants from the state, particularly those in Bengaluru. With the introduction of Passport Seva Programme (PSP) version 2.0 and the launch of the much-anticipated chip-enabled e-passport, processing time for this all-important travel document is expected to be reduced by half by this year-end.

As part of the rollout, while the Regional Passport Office here is gearing up for PSP 2.0, powered by Tata Consultancy Services, the two Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) in the city are also set for major infrastructure and software upgrades, resulting in the application process being reduced by half from what now takes about four to five working days.