Across the world, governments and international aviation bodies are investing in digital identity systems, biometric verification, and automated border controls that promise to make travel faster and more secure.

But the latest development attracting attention is the Philately Passport. While its name has sparked curiosity among travellers, many have mistaken it for a new travel document or visa alternative, but it is neither.

Here's what you should know about the Philately Passport and whether you should even consider getting one.

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What is a Philately Passport?

A Philately Passport is a pocket-sized booklet issued by the Karnataka Postal Circle, a regional arm of India Post, that turns stamp collecting into a kind of scavenger hunt across the state.

Each page in the booklet is dedicated to a specific heritage site, tourist attraction, or historically significant location in Karnataka and includes a short description of the place alongside a blank space.

Image credit: Sasikala Chandran/Instagram

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