Since May 2014, several steps have been taken to bring about quantitative and qualitative improvement in delivering passport services

Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Monday unveiled two passport seva kendras to be transformed into “All Women PSK”—one at RK Puram, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi and another at Tripunithura, Cochin, Kerala on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Speaking on the occasion, MoS Muraleedharan said the government is continuously working to create a balance between both men and women in various spheres of lives, be it professional or personal.

He underlined that the country under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is marching ahead towards a progressive, technologically advanced and socially diverse community and the achievements of women were evident from the presence of august gathering on March 8, 2021 representing leaders and future leaders among women including from the Indian Air Force, railways, health sectors, media & entertainment.

The dignitaries have been designated as the Friends of Passport Seva Programme to create awareness about the ease with which the passport can be obtained.

The Passport Seva Programme has been an ambitious programme of the Government of India and has emerged as one of the most successful programmes delivering passport related services to the citizens in India and Indian citizens living outside the country.

The programme has effectively delivered to the vision of Digital India with the successful establishment of: i. Digital ecosystem among all stakeholders offering passport related services to the citizens in ubiquitous manner at their doorstep ii. Ensuring smooth governance and ease of services iii. Digitally empowering the citizens.

The Ministry of External Affairs since May 2014 has taken several steps to bring about quantitative and qualitative improvements in delivering passport services to the citizens not only in India but also outside India.

As a result, 93 Passport Seva Kendras and 426 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras apart from existing 36 Passport Offices have been made operational across the country.

In addition to this, the programme has also been extended to 190 Indian Mission/Posts abroad and thus creating a global footprint. The steps taken by the Ministry have helped deliver passport services to the citizens in a timely, transparent, more accessible, reliable manner and in a comfortable environment through streamlined processes, committed, trained and motivated workforce.

Steps have also been taken for simplification of passport processes, manuals and rules.

In addition to this, the Ministry has taken initiative to empower women as part of the Passport Seva Programme. A total of 1670 women employees are deployed in the Passport Seva Programme.

Through the Passport Seva Programme, passports have been issued to more than 2.76 crores applicants till date. In the last three years 1.03 crores passports have been issued to women applicants, amounting to 35% of total applicants.