India is set to embark on the second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP), known as PSP-Version 2.0, which will introduce new and upgraded e-passports. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made this exciting announcement during the Passport Seva Divas, expressing his pleasure in felicitating the Passport Issuing Authorities in India and abroad, as well as colleagues from the Central Passport Organisation. This significant occasion, which commemorates the enactment of the Passports Act in 1967, serves as an opportunity to reflect on achievements and reaffirm the commitment to delivering passport services of the highest standards.
In his statement, Jaishankar acknowledged the challenges posed by the post-COVID-19 pandemic surge in demand for passport-related services. He commended the Ministry for rising to the occasion by increasing the number of daily appointments, organizing Special Drives over the weekends, and successfully processing a record-breaking 13.32 million passports and miscellaneous services in 2022. This achievement marked a notable 63% increase from the previous year, demonstrating the Ministry’s dedication to meeting the needs of citizens.
Jaishankar highlighted that the upcoming Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of enhancing the Ease of Living for citizens. This new phase aims to usher in a paradigm shift by introducing initiatives focused on “ease.” The minister outlined the four key elements of this ease:
- Enhanced passport services to citizens through the utilization of a digital ecosystem.
- Artificial Intelligence-powered service delivery to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Smoother overseas travel facilitated by chip-enabled e-passports.
- Enhanced data security measures to ensure the protection of personal information.
Additionally, Jaishankar emphasized the instrumental role of the Passport Seva Programme in contributing to the government’s Digital India initiative. Notable milestones have been achieved, including the development of the mPassport Seva Mobile App and mPassport Police App, integration of the PSP with DigiLocker for seamless document management, and the introduction of the “apply from anywhere” scheme.
The expansion of Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) across India was also highlighted. In 2014, the country had 77 PSKs, a number that has since increased seven-fold to reach 523 today. Jaishankar expressed gratitude towards esteemed partners such as the Department of Posts and state police authorities, particularly in the context of Passport Seva Kendras in Post Offices (POPSKs).
The minister underscored the significance of site visits to PSKs undertaken by himself, ministerial colleagues, and senior officials of the Ministry. These visits have facilitated the establishment of alignment between policy and operational governance levels. Jaishankar assured that such efforts will continue in the future, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to improving passport services.
