Global Perspective:

To standardize the regulations across the world, all E-passports issued across the world must be in
compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) standards, with India as no
exception. The ICAO defines the RFID micro-chips ISO 14443 stored inside the passports as ‘integrated
contactless circuits’[3]. It is assumed that this will make the passports tougher and harder to destroy[4]. 
Today, many nations have either opted for or have at least considered E-passports as a viable option.
However, is it truly viable in terms of data privacy and security of the passport holders is still debatable.
There are over 100 countries today that are issuing E-passports and more than 420 million E-passports in
circulation[5].  Almost all countries in the European Union and the United State of America have E-
passports. Many developing nations also have been issuing E-passports since a long time, and now it is
India’s turn to issue the same.