Passport is travel document, not citizenship proof: MEA
India will offer 1.5 crore passports and related services, including 1.39 crore passports, by 2025, reflecting rising demand and improved service delivery, the official said. While the average processing time for passports is now six working days, excluding police verification, applicants spend less than 45 minutes at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs).
The passport service network has expanded significantly over the last decade; The number of passport centers has increased sixfold from just 77 a decade ago to 545. The government opened 10 POPSKs last year and plans to add 10 more this year.
The official also noted greater travel access for Indian citizens. The number of countries offering visa-free entry to Indians increased from 16 to 27 in 2019. Additionally, 47 countries provide visa convenience on arrival, while 66 offer e-visas.
India’s mobility agreements, largely with European countries, help facilitate the movement of students, academics, apprentices, tourists and business travellers. These regulations also create mechanisms for the return of illegal immigrants.
Congratulating the Passport Seva Divas, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance”, the government’s passport services have become more efficient, transparent and citizen-centric.
Jaishankar said that MEA has successfully implemented the upgraded Passport Seva Program (PSP V2.0) across India and implemented the Global Passport Seva Program (GPSP V2.0) in Indian missions abroad to better serve the diaspora. He also underlined the introduction of chip-enabled e-passports, saying that the new passports comply with international standards and strengthen security and authentication features.
(With inputs from ANI)
