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QUESTION NO.2151 PASSPORT SEVA KENDRAS AND E-PASSPORT SEVA

December 16, 2021

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2151
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2021

PASSPORT SEVA KENDRAS AND E-PASSPORT SEVA

2151. SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

the details regarding a comparative chart of Passport Seva Kendras/Passport Issue Centers in 2014 and 2021;

(b) the response for E-Passport Seva; and

(c) the Government plans to provide more ease of Passport Issuance?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) The comparative chart of Passport Seva Kendras/Passport Issue Centers in 2014 and 2021 is as follows :

2014 2021
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) 77 93
Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) 0 428


Till May 2014, there were 77 PSKs. Since May 2014, 16 more PSKs and 428 POPSKs, thus, totaling 444 have been opened. Annexure APDF file that opens in new window. To know how to open PDF file refer Help section located at bottom of the site.

(b) The Ministry has plans to issue chip-enabled e-passports to citizens with advanced security features. The personal particulars of the applicants would be digitally signed and stored in the chip which would be embedded in the passport booklet.

(c) The Ministry has eased the passport issuing process and made it an online procedure, including getting an appointment for submission of documents for a passport. The Ministry has taken a number of steps to simplify passport policy and rules and reduce compliance burden, making it easier for the citizens to apply and get a passport. Effective technical infrastructure is in place to ensure that the Passport Seva system is available for access at all times from any location. The Passport Portal ( www.passportindia.gov.in ) is accessible to anyone, anywhere and anytime.

With a view to address the challenge of digital divide, especially in the rural hinterland, the Ministry in association with Common Service Center (CSC) e-Governance Services India Ltd. has facilitated online filing of passport applications, through the vast network of CSCs across rural hinterland. An applicant can now apply for a passport from anywhere in India.

The mPassport Seva mobile App enables to apply, pay and schedule appointments for passport services. This App is available in Android and iOS platforms. It also provides passport related information including Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) location, applicable fees, mode of submission, and tracking of passport application status on smart phones.

Securing online appointment for submission of passport applications at PSK/POPSK has been simplified through the App. The current provision also allows applicants to choose any appointment date from the earliest five available dates (working days) for scheduling/ rescheduling an appointment for passport related services.

Ministry’s mPassport Police App is being used by Police authorities for antecedents verification of the applicant in paperless digital flow. Further, DigiLocker has been successfully integrated with PSP system enabling citizens to submit various documents required for passport services through DigiLocker in a paperless mode.

 

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