Passport Seva 2.0, e-Passports: S Jaishankar makes big announcements; here's what you should know
File photo: EAM S Jaishankar (Picture credit: ANI)
External affairs minister
S Jaishankar
on Tuesday announced the nationwide rollout of e-Passports and the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, calling it a major step in enhancing citizen services and boosting India's global mobility framework.
The announcement was made on the occasion of the 13th Passport Seva Divas.
'In line with the Government of India's commitment to deliver the next level of citizen-centric service, I am delighted to inform that we have rolled out PSP V2.0 across the country,' Jaishankar posted on X.
He said the upgraded system leverages advanced technologies to ensure greater efficiency, transparency, and ease of access.
The Minister highlighted that passport issuance has risen significantly from 91 lakh in 2014 to 1.46 crore in 2024, indicating a strong expansion in service delivery.
He also announced that the pilot of Global PSP V2.0 is underway and will soon be introduced across Indian missions abroad.
The launch of e-Passports was a key highlight, with Jaishankar stating that these contactless chip-based documents will allow faster and more secure immigration processing. 'The e-Passport initiative marks a significant shift in travel documentation,' he said.
The minister also spoke about the introduction of the mPassport Police App, which has helped reduce the police verification process to just 5–7 days in 25 States and Union Territories.
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To further improve outreach, 10 new Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) were added in the past year, including the 450th POPSK in Kushinagar in April 2025. Jaishankar said mobile passport vans have expanded access to passport services in remote regions.
These reforms, he noted, are aligned with the broader goals of Seva (service), Sushasan (good governance), and Garib Kalyan (welfare of the poor) — all crucial to building a Viksit Bharat (developed India).
'I take this opportunity to congratulate everyone at Passport Offices, Passport Seva Kendras, Post Office Passport Seva Kendras, and all partners of the Passport Seva Programme, including the Department of Posts, India Security Press, State Police, and service providers,' Jaishankar added.
Minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita also attended the Passport Seva Divas celebrations and praised the programme's inclusivity and innovations like rainwater harvesting and TRIFED outlets at passport offices.
According to ANI, he reaffirmed MEA's commitment to timely and citizen-friendly passport services under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EAM Jaishankar.
The three-day Regional Passport Officers' Conference held alongside saw discussions on service innovation, grievance redressal, and capacity building to strengthen the passport delivery ecosystem.
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