Latest news with #POPSK
India Gazette
18 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Jaishankar announces Passport Seva Program 2.0, e-Passport rollout across India on Passport Seva Divas
New Delhi [India], June 24 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday lauded the efforts of passport authorities across India and abroad on the occasion of the 13th Passport Seva Divas, while announcing major advancements in the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) and the nationwide rollout of e-Passports. In a post on X, Jaishankar highlighted the transformation in passport services under the pillars of 'Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan', calling them central to achieving Viksit Bharat. 'Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan are three key pillars of governance that would lead us to a Viksit Bharat. They are all reflected with prominence in our Passport Seva Programme,' he said. He noted that passport delivery had seen a dramatic shift over the past decade, with passport issuance rising from 91 lakh in 2014 to 1.46 crore in 2024. The Minister informed that Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 has already been rolled out across the country, bringing in high-end, emerging technologies to improve efficiency and transparency. '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,' he said. He added that pilot testing of the Global PSP V2.0 is also underway and will be implemented in phases in all Indian embassies and consulates. Jaishankar called the e-Passport initiative a major milestone, easing travel and expediting immigration clearances with its contactless chip-based data reading. He also cited the launch of the mPassport Police App, which has reduced police verification time to 5-7 days in 25 States and Union Territories. He said that in the last year, 10 new Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) were opened, including the 450th POPSK in Kushinagar in April 2025. 'We have reached the remotest areas of our country through our mobile van facilities, which have enhanced the ease of passport services for citizens living in far-flung areas,' he added. Jaishankar said these efforts have empowered workers and professionals to access global opportunities, strengthening India's global workforce footprint. Jaishankar congratulated everyone associated with the passport delivery ecosystem in a post on X. 'I take this opportunity to congratulate everyone at Passport Offices (PO), Passport Seva Kendras (PSK), Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) and all partners of Passport Seva Programme, including the Department of Posts, India Security Press at Nashik, State Police authorities, our service providers and others for their dedication,' he said. (ANI)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Passport Seva portal down: Services across India disrupted as applicants face long delays
The Passport Seva Portal experienced widespread server issues on Thursday and Friday, disrupting operations at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) across India. Multiple users in cities such as Delhi, Bhopal, and Thane took to X to report last-minute appointment cancellations and long delays. Many people across major cities reported reaching PSKs only to find the centres non-functional. '@passportsevamea the website/app isn't working... we know that you don't want to travel seeing the conditions around but still I want to renew my passport so kindly make your WEBSITE WORK.. Thanks," X user Abhishek Rathore posted on the social media website. — rathore_tweets (@rathore_tweets) Also Read: India will roll out smarter passports with these changes in 2025 (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) "@passportsevamea Message received "Dear Applicant, your appointment for PSK/POPSK has been suspended due to Technical issue. Request you to reschedule appointment as per your convenience. -PassportSP". Is the passport office going to pay me a penalty for this instance?," X user Darshil said, expressing his frustration. Live Events — Darshil16061712 (@Darshil16061712) X users also claimed there were no dates available for rescheduling in the next few weeks, instead the next available date being months later. "Had an appointment for passport 2morrow morning for my kids and 2nd time in 2 months they asked to reschedule the appointment due to technical issues @passportsevamea. At 12.00 am we received the msg and they want people to stay here.. Their app too is not working," Mehul Kothari, an applicant, posted on X. — MehulKothari3 (@MehulKothari3) Also Read: You can now add spouse's name in passports without marriage certificate Last minute cancellations also caused confusion and further distress for applicants with upcoming travel plans. Rahul Sharma, who had applied for his son's passport before a planned trip to the US next year, said, 'The last-minute cancellation of my passport appointment is putting our trip to the US next year in serious trouble. I had applied for my son's passport so we could all attend my daughter's graduation, but without it I can't even begin the visa process. With long US visa wait times, the delays make it very difficult to plan anything.' In many cases, applicants got the information about the server outage only once they reached the PSK. "The passport seva kendra pasted a notice due to a technical issue unable to process a request. No SMS, email or ph call regarding this to applicant ...even people came to reach only after seva kendra. Gate is locked & no one is available," X user Vidya Nand Rai shared the notice posted in the Ghaziabad centre. — vidyaamp (@vidyaamp) The repeated outages left applicants facing uncertainty, especially those with time-sensitive travel plans. Parents, business travellers, and others awaiting passports raised complaints about wasted time and mounting travel disruptions. Despite the widespread outage, neither the Ministry of External Affairs nor the official @passportsevamea account on X has issued a public statement on the issue as of Friday morning. This is not the first disruption of its kind. A similar server issue occurred in April, which forced PSKs across the country to suspend services for two days, triggering delays and last-minute cancellations. Also Read: What are the documents required for an Indian passport?
NDTV
05-06-2025
- NDTV
How To Apply For Passport In India: Steps, Documents And Everything Else To Know
Thinking about finally taking that international trip or studying abroad? The first thing you will require is a valid Indian passport. Thankfully, because of the online portals, applying for one is easier than ever. Gone are the days of endless paperwork and standing in long queues. With an easy online passport system, you can apply for a new passport or renew an existing one from the comfort of your home. Still, if you are new to thing, it could feel a bit daunting. But worry not! Follow these simple steps to understand the process thoroughly, so that you're at ease while it happens. Here's what you need to do to get a passport in India. Here's A Step-By-Step Guide To Applying For A Passport In India Follow these simple steps if you want to apply for a passport in India. 1. Register On The Passport Seva Portal: Visit the Passport Seva Online Portal. Select 'New User Registration' and fill in the required details, including your name, date of birth, and email ID. 2. Fill Out The Form After logging in, select 'Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport' Complete the form with all the relevant information Review before submitting 3. Pay The Application Fee After submitting the form, click on 'Pay and Schedule Appointment' Choose your preferred Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) Pay the application fee using your choice of mode. 4. Schedule An Appointment Select a convenient date and time slot for your appointment at the chosen location. Confirm the appointment and download the application receipt. 5. Visit The PSK/POPSK Arrive at the selected centre on the scheduled date with all required original documents and self-attested photocopies. At the centre, your documents will be verified, biometric data will be collected, and you may be interviewed by a passport officer. 6. Police Verification A police investigation will be conducted depending on the type of application and your current address. Make sure you are available at your residence during this period and provide any additional documents requested by the police. 7. Track Application Status On the Passport Seva Portal, click on 'Track Application Status' and enter your file number and date of birth. Check it regularly until your passport is dispatched. Once processed, your passport will be dispatched to your registered address. What Documents Do You Need For A Passport When applying for a passport, you must provide original documents along with self-attested photocopies. The specific documents may vary based on each person's circumstance, 1. Proof Of Address (any one of them): Aadhar Card Voter ID Electricity, Water, or Telephone Bill Bank Statement Rental Agreement 2. Proof of Date Of Birth (any one of them): Birth Certificate School Leaving Certificate PAN Card Aadhar Card 3. Identity Proof: PAN Card Aadhar Card Voter ID 4. Additional Documents (if applicable): Marriage Certificate (for name change after marriage) For minor applicants, present address proof document in the name of parent(s) can be submitted. Divorce decree, court order (if adopted), or police report (if passport is lost or stolen) Moreover, make sure that all the documents are valid and up to date to avoid delays in processing. How Much Will A Passport Cost In India? On the Passport Seva portal, you find a 'Fee Calculator' that helps you determine the cost of your passport, based on the type. Adults (18 years and above): The fee for a passport for an adult is Rs 1,500 (for 36 page booklet), and Rs 3,500 for a Tatkal (emergency) passport. Adults (18 years and above): The fee for a 60-page booklet for adults is Rs 2,000. The tatkal fee for the same is Rs 4,000 Minor (Below 18): The fee for a 36-page booklet is Rs 1,000. Whereas the tatkal fee for the same is Rs 3,000. How Long Will It Take To Get A Passport In India? The processing time of your passport depends on the type of service you have asked for and whether or not police verification is required: For Normal Passport: With police verification: 25 to 30 working days Without police verification: 7 working days For Reissue (no address change): 7 working days (mostly) Who Is Eligible For An Indian Passport? Any Indian citizen can apply for a passport, if they meet the following criteria: Must be an Indian citizen by birth, descent, registration, or naturalisation Should not be facing any criminal proceedings or have a pending warrant For minors, consent from both parents/legal guardians is required For Tatkal applications, additional verifications may also be needed. So, follow these steps and get your passport hassle-free!
