Cabinet Approves Five‑Year Continuation of the IVFRT Scheme (2026‑2031) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has sanctioned the continuation of the IVFRT Scheme beyond 31 Mar 2026 for a further five years (01 Apr 2026‑31 Mar 2031) with a budget outlay of Rs 1,800 crore . Key Developments Extension approved for 2026‑2031, following earlier phases (2010‑2014, 2015‑2021, 2021‑2026). Budget escalated from the original Rs 1,011 crore to Rs 1,800 crore, reflecting expanded scope. Focus on three pillars: emerging technology innovations, core‑infrastructure transformation, and service‑delivery optimisation. Implementation across 117 Immigration Posts , 15 FRROs , and 854 FROs/SPs/DCPs nationwide. Important Facts & Achievements The IVFRT system has already delivered measurable benefits: 100% contactless, faceless visa processing with online appointments and payments. Over 91.24% of e‑Visa applications cleared within 72 hours in the past five years. Average passenger clearance time reduced to 2.5‑3 minutes (including biometrics), down from 5‑6 minutes. Implementation of the FTI‑TTP at 13 major airports, cutting clearance time from 2.5‑3 minutes to roughly 30 seconds. UPSC Relevance Understanding IVFRT is crucial for several GS papers: GS2 – Polity & Governance: The scheme illustrates inter‑ministerial coordination, the role of the Union Cabinet , and the impact of legislative changes such as the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 . GS3 – Economy: The Rs 1,800 crore outlay and expected boost to tourism, medical and business travel demonstrate the link between immigration facilitation and economic growth, foreign exchange earnings, and employment generation. GS4 – Ethics & Integrity: The emphasis on secure, transparent, and citizen‑friendly services aligns with good governance and accountability principles. Way Forward To realise the full potential of the extended IVFRT scheme, the government plans to: Deploy mobile‑based services and self‑service kiosks at all immigration points for seamless traveller experience. Upgrade data‑centres and network infrastructure to ensure resilience and scalability. Integrate a unified digital platform that harmonises visa, registration and tracking modules, reducing duplication and enhancing security. Leverage emerging technologies such as AI‑driven risk analytics and biometric authentication to pre‑empt illegal migration. These steps aim to position India as a global hub for safe, efficient, and business‑friendly travel, thereby supporting broader objectives of economic development and national security.