S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, said that “India will launch the second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP-Version 2.0)” on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas. New and upgraded e-passports will be included in the Passport Seva Programme 2.0. Jaishankar called on the relevant authorities to renew their pledge to provide passports and related services to citizens “timeously, reliably, accessible, transparently, and effectively.”
Passport Seva Programme
According to Jaishankar, We will shortly begin the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, which will include new and improved e-passports. These efforts will provide a new paradigm of “EASE” in keeping with the Prime Minister’s goal of improving the “Ease of Living” for citizens: E: Enhanced the Digital eco-system passport services for the public A: AI-powered service delivery system S: Smoother international travel using chip-enabled e-passports, E: Enhanced data security”
With achievements like the mPassport Seva Mobile App, the mPassport Police App, the integration of PSP with DigiLocker, and the “apply from anywhere” programme, Jaishankar said that PSP has made a substantial contribution to the government’s effort to create a “Digital India.”He said that this is an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and to reaffirm India’s resolve to work towards attaining the highest standards in the delivery of passport services.
Passport Seva Schedule Appointment link
Passport Seva Schedule refers to the process of scheduling an appointment to avail of passport-related services through the Passport Seva Programme in India. The Passport Seva Programme is an initiative by the Government of India to simplify and streamline the passport application and issuance process. To schedule an appointment for Passport Seva services, please visit the official Passport Seva website at www.passportindia.gov.in. Follow all the instructions provided, Your desired passport office or Passport Seva Kendra, and a convenient date and time for your appointment.
Be sure to have all the necessary documents and payment details ready before proceeding with the appointment scheduling process.
How to Apply for Passport Seva Programme v2.0?
- Go to www.passportindia.gov.in for the official website.
- On the website’s homepage, look for the “Schedule Appointment” or “Apply for Ordinary Passport” section.
- Click on the appropriate link to access the appointment booking portal.
- You’ll need to sign up for an account or log in.
- Give your name, address, and other information.
- Select the passport office or Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) of your choice.
- Choose a suitable date and time slot for your appointment from the available options.
- Check your appointment information and confirm.
- Pay for passport applications and appointments.
- Your appointment information will be confirmed through email or text message.
Passport Seva Programme Digilocker
As part of the Passport Seva Programme in India, the integration of Digilocker has been implemented. Digilocker is a secure cloud-based platform that allows citizens to digitally store and access their important documents, including their passports. Through the Passport Seva Programme, citizens can link their Passport Seva account with Digilocker, enabling them to securely store and retrieve their passports digitally. This integration enhances convenience and facilitates easy access to passport-related information, minimizing the need for physical document handling.
New Features of PSP-V2.0
- Technology improvements for the new project are anticipated to include the usage of cutting-edge biometrics, artificial intelligence, advanced data analytics, chat-bots, auto-responses, natural language processing, and cloud enablement.
- The issuing of the e-passport, a new generation of passports, will be the newest feature under PSP-V2.0.
Key Points of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP)
- One of India’s many Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) is PSP.
- A specific project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) known as a Mission Mode Project (MMP) focuses on one particular component of electronic governance, such as banking, property records, commercial taxes, etc.
Difference between Passport Office and Passport Seva Kendra
The main difference between a Passport Office and a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK):
Passport Office:
- Larger administrative units.
- Responsible for overseeing passport-related services in a specific region or city.
- Central hubs for processing passport applications and issuing passports.
- Have specialized departments for verification, investigation, and administrative support.
- Handle a higher volume of passport applications.
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK):
- Decentralized passport service centre.
- Work in coordination with Passport Offices.
- Act as extended arms of Passport Offices.
- Offer passport services to citizens.
- Accept passport applications, verify documents, capture biometrics, and collect fees.
- Located across cities and regions for better accessibility.
- Help decentralizes the passport issuance process.
- Reduce the burden on main Passport Offices.
- Faster processing times and improved efficiency.