RAS question
Amit Shah expanded the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) in September 2025. To how many airports was it extended and what is the clearance time offered?
Correct answer: (B) 13 airports; 30-second clearance.
The Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme was expanded to 13 airports in September 2025, with immigration clearance offered in 30 seconds.
Explanation
The September 2025 expansion made the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme operational at 13 airports after Amit Shah inaugurated it at Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode and Amritsar. The programme is designed to remove long queues, manual checking and avoidable delays by giving registered travellers immigration clearance in 30 seconds. Its working method explains the speed: applicants register online, upload documents, give biometrics at an FRRO or airport, then use e-Gates by scanning the boarding pass and passport. Once biometrics are verified at the e-Gate, it opens automatically and clearance is granted. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also planned integration with the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Ten airports is too low because the PIB release says the process became operational at 13 airports, and the clearance time is 30 seconds, not 60 seconds.
- (C) Fifteen airports is not supported by the release, and the programme's stated clearance time is 30 seconds rather than 45 seconds.
- (D) The 30-second clearance time is right, but the airport count is wrong because the September 2025 expansion took FTI-TTP to 13 airports, not 21.
Concept
This tests a current-governance scheme at the intersection of immigration administration, digital service delivery and national security. RAS repeatedly asks such questions because central schemes and technology-backed public services are common prelims current-affairs triggers.