India gets ready for e-passports

India became one of the first developing countries to issue e-passports with President Pratibha Patil launching the programme. The External Affairs Ministry will issue e-passports also known as biometric passports in the diplomatic category.Issuance of e-passports in the official category will begin next month.Such passports will be issued to all fresh applicants and to those who apply for reissue in this category.