Question : Passport Offices in the Country

(a) the details of the number of passport offices and Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) currently operational across the country, State/UT-wise including Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal;

(b) whether the Government has prepared/preparing a list of the areas where new passport offices and PSKs may be opened and existing one’s to be modernised in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and the reasons therefor;

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for maximum coverage area under these centres; and

(e) whether the Government is planning to introduce any new scheme in this regard across the country and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) At present, 93 Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) and 215 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) are operating across the country as extended arms of the 36 Passport Offices, thus providing extended reach to passport applicants.

(b) to (e) The Ministry in association with the Department of Posts has announced opening of 289 Passport Seva Kendras at the Head Post Offices (HPO)/ Post Offices (PO) in the country called ‘Post Office Passport Seva Kendra’ (POPSK). Out of the 289 POPSK announced, 215 POPSK are functional as on 19th July, 2018.

The Government intends to open one POPSK in all the Lok Sabha Parliamentary Constituencies.

The Passport Offices, the PSK and the POPSK in the country are fully modernised. After the nation-wide roll-out of the Passport Seva Project, the Passport Offices, the PSK and POPSK are supported by state-of-the-art technology infrastructure which enables end-to-end passport services to be delivered with enhanced security.
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