New Indian Passports Carry Gold RFID Symbol, Marking E-Passport Biometric Chip

1 articles · Updated · Mint · Jun 13

A gold rectangle-like mark on renewed Indian passports was identified in an online discussion as the international symbol for an e-passport with an embedded RFID biometric chip.
The query spread after a social media user posted a photo of the unfamiliar symbol, noting her older passport lacked it and asking whether it was a security or tracking feature.
Users said the mark is standard on biometric passports used in many countries and signals technology meant to support identity verification and travel documentation.
The exchange widened into discussion of India’s shift toward digitally enhanced passports, with commenters saying older non-electronic passports are likely to be phased out over the next 1-2 years.