India’s Passport Seva 2.0: Jaishankar announces new, upgraded e-passports

Jaishankar said, “We will soon be embarking on Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, including new and upgraded e-passports. In line with the Prime Minister’s vision of enhancing the ‘Ease of Living’ for citizens, these initiatives will usher in a new paradigm of ‘EASE”: E: Enhanced passport services to citizens, using a digital eco-system A: Artificial Intelligence-powered service delivery S: Smoother overseas travel using chip-enabled e-passports E: Enhanced data security.”

“I would like to call on all our passport issuing authorities in India and abroad to join me in renewing our pledge to provide passport and related services to citizens in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent and efficient manner,” the minister said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared Jaishankar’s message on Twitter, captioning it with: “Here is a message from EAM @DrSJaishankar, as we observe the Passport Seva Divas today. #TeamMEA reaffirms its commitment to provide passport and related services to citizens in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent and efficient manner.”

He noted that the ministry processed a record 13.32 million passports and miscellaneous services in 2022, marking a rise of 63 per cent from 2021, adding that the programme has contributed largely to the goal of a ‘Digital India’.

“PSP has significantly contributed towards the Government’s goal of a Digital India’, with milestones such as mPassport Seva Mobile App, mPassport Police App, integration of PSP with DigiLocker, and the ‘apply from anywhere’ scheme,” Jaishankar said in his message.

“While in 2014, there were 77 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in the country, this number has increased 7-fold and stands at 523 today. In the context of POPSKS, I would like to acknowledge the role of the Department of Posts and state police authorities as esteemed partners,” he said.

(With agency inputs)

Updated: 24 Jun 2023, 05:29 PM IST