Passport Seva

The Passport Seva has implemented a number of measures to enhance the management of passport offices. These processes’ primary goals are to guarantee comfort, improve security, and advance transparency. Before visiting the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), you must make a payment online. You must make a reservation for a time in advance to visit the PSK. You must bring the necessary documents with you when you visit the PSK.

Earlier, the task to get a passport, let alone a visa, was an arduous one. Individuals had to initially fill up application forms manually and then, wait tirelessly in long queues outside their local passport office awaiting their turn. Many were turned away and asked to try another day, as their documents were incomplete or if the office was done for the day. However, fear not as Passport Seva has come to the rescue. Citizens of India may obtain a new passport or have one renewed with ease through Passport Seva both, online and offline.

Passport Seva

The Government of India had taken up multiple initiatives to bring about an era of e-Governance in order to improve the delivery of public services in recent years. Passport Seva was established by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). The MEA has, however, retained essential functions such as the verification process, granting, and the issuance of a passport for any individual. The Ministry also has ownership of the core assets that includes data and information of all the individual applicants.

The following are the various tasks that an Indian citizen can execute with respect to obtaining a passport online.

  • Apply for a new passport.
  • Apply for the renewal of a passport.
  • Apply for the re-issuance of a lost or damaged passport.
  • Access and download the Application Form for the Police Clearance Certificate.
  • Access and download the Application Form for the Surrender Certificate.
  • Access and download the Application Form for the Identity Certificate.

The online Portal for Passport Seva provides information on the documents and all the essential data required for the application process. Additionally, it includes information on how to obtain any of the documents necessary for the procedure. It is mandatory for individuals to register themselves for Passport Seva online initially in order to make use of the facilities offered on the Portal.

Role of Passport Seva Kendra

The following are the vital responsibilities and roles of a Passport Seva Kendra: 

  • The main responsibility of a PSK is to accept the passport application form from the applicant. 
  • After accepting the application form and required documents, PSK performs the verification, background check, and prints the passport. 
  • On successful verification and approval from the passport officer, PSK issues the passport to the applicant. 
  • PSK addresses the queries regarding passport applications. 
  • PSK also maintains the record of application received, passport application processed, and passport issued. 
  • PSK ensures that the passport application submitted are compliant with the relevant regulations and guidelines. 

Advantages of the Seva

Passport Seva has been aimed to transform passport and its related services in the country. This is achieved by offering the best-in-class experience to apply and obtain a passport and other services. These services are provided by the Seva to the citizens through a reliable, convenient and transparent manner within each defined service level. The following are the critical aspects that the Seva ensures to offer a transformed experience.

Access – Anytime, Anywhere- The citizens of India may submit their completed application forms for passports on the Passport Seva portal. Similarly, applicants may seek an appointment after payment of passport fees on the same Portal. The Passport Seva portal aims to offer comprehensive and up-to-date information related to passport services. Post confirmation of an appointment date/ time, individuals are only required to visit their nearest Passport Seva Kendra at the given slot.

Increased Network -With over 37 Passport Offices, 93 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) have been established and are currently operational across the country as a part of Passport Seva to serve the citizens of India regarding passport services.

Improved Amenities – 

Passport Seva and its Kendras offers users with world-class ambience. Amenities such as the following are provided in comfortable air-conditioned waiting lounges:

  • Self-Services Kiosks
  • Helpful Guides
  • Photocopying Services
  • Food and Beverage Facilities
  • Public Phone Booths
  • Childcare Services
  • Newspapers and Journals
  • Television Access

The Electronic Queue Management System equipped at every Kendra ensures the first come first serve principle for the application process.

Call Centre & Helpdesk – A call centre operating nationally in 17 Indian languages gives citizens the opportunity to obtain passport service-related information and to receive updates concerning their passport applications, round the clock, 7 days a week. An e-mail based helpdesk has been set up, besides the smart-phone based application ‘mPassport Seva’, to provide information on passport services.

Top Notch Infrastructure – Passport Seva is supported by the latest technology infrastructure which facilitates end-to-end passport services to be delivered to the applicants with enhanced security. The photographs and biometrics of the applicants are collected when they visit a Kendra in order to process their requests. The applications and supporting documents are stored digitally in the system for further processing.

Passport Seva 1

Registration on Passport Seva

A passport is an essential document if an individual wish to travel abroad. It also serves as a proof of identity and address for an individual. To apply for a passport and to avail other services, it is essential that an individual register themselves online on the Passport Seva portal. The following are the basics steps to apply for a passport on the Passport Seva portal.

Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva portal.

Step 2: On the left, click on the New User? Register Now tab in bright orange colour. Click on the tab and follow the link to the next page.

Step 3: A form will be displayed where the user will be required to complete with appropriate information.

Step 4: Ensure that the radio icon is set to the Passport Office option.

Step 5: Select the nearest Passport Seva Kendra in your city from the choices in the drop-down list.

Step 6: After doing so, enter the relevant personal details in the required fields as inquired on the page.

Step 7: The next page would indicate the user to set up their own Login ID and Password to their account according to the terms and conditions mentioned on the Portal. The user will be required to re-enter the Password in order to confirm.

Step 8: The user will be asked to select their choice of a hint question and an answer to the same question. This is essential in case the user loses their login credentials to access their Passport Seva account.

Step 9: The user has to enter the relevant Captcha code that would be displayed on the screen and click on the final tab that indicates Register.

Step 10: The account of the user would be created, and the user may log in to their Passport Seva account to apply for a passport and various other services using the credentials that they chose.

Apply for Passport Through Passport Seva Kendra Offline

The following are the steps to apply passport through Passport Seva Kendra offline: 

  • Keep ready all the required documents for applying for passport at PSK 
  • Either download the passport application form from PSK website or collect the form from the PSK center 
  • Fill in the application form and sign it 
  • Book an appointment at the nearest PSK center through official website or by calling the PSK helpline 
  • Visit the PSK on the appointment day along with your application form and documents 
  • Complete the required procedures as per the instructions given in the PSK 
  • Pay the application fee depending on the type of application form that you have filled in 
  • Obtain the receipt that will be provided to you after making the payment 
  • The passport will be sent to the registered address of the applicant after few days or weeks depending on the certain factors 

How to Check Passport Seva Kendra Application Status Online?

he following are the steps to check the PSK application status online: 

  • Visit the official Passport Seva Kendra website 
  • Click on the ‘Track Application Status’ link 
  • Enter your Passport Application Number that you have received while submitting the application 
  • Select your Application Type, such as Tatkal or Normal, depending on the type of application submitted 
  • Enter your Date of Birth 
  • Click on the ‘Track Status’ 
  • The page will direct to a new page where you will be able to check the status of your application

How to Check Passport Seva Kendra Application Status Offline?

  • Call 18002581800, the National Call Centre number 
  • You can also check the application status by visiting the PSK center in person 

FQAs

Q: What are the documents required for passport?

You need to submit the scanned copies of the documents like PAN card, Aadhar card, utility bills, voter ID card, and DL.

Q: How many days will we get Tatkal passport?

Your Tatkal passport will get dispatched within three working days excluding the date of submission and application. 

Q: Is submission of someone else's passport application allowed?

No, an applicant has to be physically present when submitting the passport application at the Passport Seva Kendra as per the new system.

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