External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has announced that India will soon initiate the second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP-Version 2.0), which will introduce new and upgraded e-passports.
In his message on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas, Jaishankar called upon passport-issuing authorities in India and abroad to renew their commitment to providing passport and related services in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent, and efficient manner.
Embracing the ‘Ease of Living’ Vision
Aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of enhancing the “Ease of Living” for citizens, the upcoming initiatives under the Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 aim to revolutionize passport services. The new paradigm, coined as “EASE,” encompasses the following aspects:
- E: Enhanced passport services to citizens through a digital eco-system.
- A: Artificial Intelligence-powered service delivery.
- S: Smoother overseas travel facilitated by chip-enabled e-passports.
- E: Enhanced data security measures.
Renewed Pledge to Efficient Services
Jaishankar emphasized the importance of all passport-issuing authorities, both in India and abroad, joining him in renewing their pledge to deliver the passport and related services promptly, reliably, and efficiently.
The Ministry of External Affairs echoed this commitment on Twitter while sharing Jaishankar’s message, stating their dedication to providing services in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent, and efficient manner.
Acknowledging Achievements and Future Goals
Expressing his pleasure in felicitating passport-issuing authorities and colleagues from the Central Passport Organization on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas 2023, Jaishankar highlighted the significance of this day for assessing accomplishments and reaffirming India’s commitment to achieving the highest standards in passport service delivery.
Jaishankar acknowledged the Ministry of External Affairs’ proactive response to the surge in demand for passport-related services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Measures such as increasing daily appointments and organizing special drives over weekends enabled the processing of a record-breaking 13.32 million passports and miscellaneous services in 2022, marking a remarkable 63% increase from the previous year.
Contributing to ‘Digital India’
The Passport Seva Programme (PSP) has played a significant role in India’s journey towards a ‘Digital India.’ Jaishankar shared his experiences of visiting Passport Seva Kendras across different states and noted that other ministers and senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs have also undertaken similar visits.
These interactions have facilitated effective coordination between policy and operational governance, demonstrating the commitment to sustain and enhance such efforts in the future.
Milestones and Expanding Reach
Highlighting the milestones achieved, Jaishankar mentioned key initiatives such as the mPassport Seva Mobile App, mPassport Police App, integration of PSP with DigiLocker, and the ‘apply from anywhere’ scheme.
He also acknowledged the remarkable growth in the number of Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in the country, which has increased sevenfold from 77 in 2014 to 523 today.
Additionally, he recognized the valuable contributions of the Department of Posts and state police authorities as esteemed partners in the context of POPSKs.
In conclusion, India’s forthcoming Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 promises enhanced passport services and greater convenience for citizens, powered by digital advancements and focused on seamless travel experiences. The government’s commitment to digitalization and continuous improvement reflects its dedication to meeting the evolving needs of its citizens.
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