With the expansion of centres and technological improvements, accompanied by increased outsourcing of professionals and an expanding middle-class, the percentage is expected to go up.

Post successful pilot launch and requisite certifications, it will be rolled out at remaining Regional Passport Offices across India in a phased manner in 2025.

These passports have been ruled invalid by the Indian government and holders must replace them with machine-readable versions with validity for 10 years due to ICAO regulations.

[17] All passports contain a note in Hindi and English, nominally from the President of India, addressing the authorities of all countries and territories: इसके द्वारा, भारत गणराज्य के राष्ट्रपति के नाम पर, उन सब से जिनका इस बात से सरोकार हो, यह प्रार्थना एवं अपेक्षा की जाती है कि वे वाहक को बिना रोक-टोक, स्वतंत्रतापूर्वक आने-जाने दें, और उसे हर प्रकार की ऐसी सहायता और सुरक्षा प्रदान करें जिसकी उसे आवश्यकता हो । These are to request and require in the Name of the President of the Republic of India all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford him or her, every assistance and protection of which he or she may stand in need.

The note bearing page is typically stamped and signed by the issuing authority in the name of the President of the Republic of India.

This is to prevent the exploitation of Indian workers (especially the unskilled and less-educated) when going abroad, particularly to Middle Eastern countries.

Since 25 November 2015, Indian passports that are handwritten or with an original date of expiry extending to 20 years have not been valid under ICAO travel regulations.

Another added security feature in the newer non-handwritten passports is a ghost picture of the holder found on the right side of the second page.

Apart from stymieing criminals from printing fake passports, recent changes also help prevent smudging of the document because of inkjet printers.

The Government has authorised Indian Security Press to float a global three-stage tender for procurement of ICAO-compliant electronic contactless inlays along with its operating system, which is required for the manufacture of Biometric Passports.

[24] The necessary procurement have been initiated by India Security Press, Nasik by calling for Global tender for the supply of electronic contactless inlays.

[25] During the 2022 Union budget of India speech, Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that Biometric Passports with embedded chip will be rolled out in 2022–23.

The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the digital passport will allow greater security for personal data as well as smoother immigration process.

Post successful pilot launch and requisite certifications, it will be rolled out at remaining Regional Passport Offices across India in a phased manner in 2025.

[30][31] [32] Indian citizens can live and work freely in Nepal under the generous terms of the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship.