External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made the announcement on the occasion of Passport Seva Diwas that the government will soon launch the new and upgraded Passport Service Programme (PSP-Version 2.0). Speaking on this occasion during the 13th Passport Seva Diwas celebrations, Foreign Minister Dr.
S. Jaishankar has informed that we will soon launch the Passport Seva Programme (PSP)-Version 2.0 in India.
The Government of India is committed to providing timely, reliable, accessible, transparent and efficient services to citizens through the Passport Seva Programme, he informed.
Sharing the information on the social networking site X, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar expressed gratitude for what he labelled a “significant transformation” in service delivery to passport officers posted in India and abroad. He linked the programme to three pillars. These are Seva (service), Sushasan (good governance) and Garib Kalyan (welfare). For the minister, these concepts are no longer theoretical but are being implemented through services like the Passport Seva Programme, he posted.
Passport Seva Programme
The Passport Seva Programme is more than just a process of providing documents. At one time, obtaining a passport in India was a long and complicated process. There were delays in applying, red tape rules were a hindrance, and years of waiting were inevitable, he said.
The Passport Seva Programme (PSP) in India has brought about a revolutionary change in the way Indian citizens obtain, renew and apply for their passports. This programme will make the process of obtaining a passport simple and easy.
Under the Passport Seva Programme, there are facilities to apply online, book appointments and upload documents. This eliminates the hassle of wandering to offices and standing in long queues. Also, the process is transparent and avoids the hassle of middlemen.
The overall vision of the PSP government is an expression of “Vikshith Bharat”, he said. It is a developed India where technology and governance are aligned to serve the citizens better. In his words, “Service, Good Governance and Garib Kalyan are the three pillars of governance that will take us to Vikshith Bharat. All of them are implemented in our Passport Seva Programme.
The Passport Seva Yojana is not limited to cities only. It has also extended its services to Tier 3 and Tier 2 towns and districts with Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK). This has enabled for the first time applicants, migrant workers and students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities to avail passport facilities without having to travel long distances.
E-Passports in India
E-passports are one of the biggest announcements in India. It is also the introduction of e-passports across the country. These are not just new passports with a new cover, they are embedded with a microchip containing crucial personal and biometric information.
E-passports include the following features:
Secure embedded chip: This chip, located on the front cover of passports, contains biometric details like your name, passport number, date of birth and your photograph along with fingerprints.
Readable: The chip has the ability to be read very quickly by officials without having to fully open the passport or scan the barcode.
ICAO compliant: E-passports are designed to be compliant with the International Civil Aviation Organization standards so that they can be easily identified at international borders, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Tamper-proof: Due to encryption and secure chip technology in e-passports, the chances of forgery are reduced. This provides greater security to Indian travellers.
What are the benefits of e-passport?
E-passports have several benefits which are as follows:
- Time saving in crossing country borders: Quick scanning can be done at airports and reduces waiting time at airports.
- Security: The built-in chip helps prevent misuse or counterfeiting.
- Digital storage: All personal and biometric information of the traveler is stored securely inside the chip.
- Global usage: Since the passports comply with ICAO standards, they are recognized globally.
How to apply for e-passport online in India..?
- You will first need to visit the official website of the government passportindia.gov.in. This is the only official website to apply for a passport in India.
- If you are applying for an e-passport for the first time, you can first register as a user based on name, date of birth and contact number. If you already have an account, you will need to login.
- Then select the e-passport option and enter your personal details, travel history and identification data. You will need to select a local Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) for your appointment.
- You can make multiple choices for payment gateways like UPI, credit/debit cards and net banking. You can also select the date and time slot.