All diplomatic representations of the Schengen member states in India have to capture the biometric data (finger scans and facial image) of persons applying for a Schengen visa. The data will be kept in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 5 years.
If your finger scans have not been collected yet, personal appearance of the applicants is mandatory when applying for a Schengen visa. Personal appearance and fingerprint scan is not necessary for children under the age of 12 years.
If your finger scans were collected within the last 59 months and a visa with the mention "VIS" has been granted, then you won’t have to give new fingerprints for your next visa application(s) and personal appearance is not necessary. Please provide copy of your visa sticker issued after 02.11.2015 with the “VIS” mention.
You will still have to appear in person to give your fingerprints in case the previously collected fingerprints prove to be of insufficient quality.