Lok Sabha Question No. 2532 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-10
Subject: Issuance of Passports
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Devendrappa Y

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2532 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2021

## ISSUANCE OF PASSPORTS

## 2532. SHRI Y. DEVENDRAPPA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to make the process of getting passports simple and transparent and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is also making efforts to ensure that the process of issuing passports be made errorless so that no anti-social elements can misuse it and if so, the steps taken in this regard;
- (c) whether   rackets   of   touts   have   been   exposed   who   had indulged in making passports on wrong addresses during the last three years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken against the offenders?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) Yes.   The   Ministry   has   simplified   the   passport   issuing process.   It has been made an online procedure, including for applications   and   for   getting   appointments   for   submission   of documents.   The   Passport   portal   (www.passportindia.gov.in)   is accessible to anyone, anywhere and anytime. Citizens can also apply, pay and schedule appointments for passport services on mPassportSeva   Mobile   App,   and   do   not   require   access   to   a computer and printer to apply for passport services. Ministry's mPassport Police App is being used by Police authorities for antecedents verification of the applicant in paperless digital flow. Further, DigiLocker has been successfully integrated with the PSP system enabling citizens to submit various documents required for passport services through DigiLocker in a paperless mode. The Ministry has also taken a number of steps to simplify passport policy and rules making it easier for the citizens to apply and get a passport.

The Ministry has expanded the outreach by opening of more Passport Kendras. At present, there are 555 Passport Kendras

functional   in   the   country,   including   36   Passport   Offices,   93 Passport Seva Kendra and 426 Post Office Passport Seva Kendra.

(b) The process of issuance of passports has been made robust under the new system to prevent misuse by anti-social elements. Before granting any passport, in-person appearance is mandatory avoiding chances of impersonation. Background check is carried out   from   the   entire   Passport   database   for   duplication   and criminality status. Biometric and facial data of the applicant is captured on the spot as a part of passport issuance process. In addition, Police Verification is carried out to check the criminality and citizenship of the applicant.

(c) & (d) One of the biggest advantages of creating e-platform and now its integration with digiLocker is elimination of touts and racketeers.   The   Ministry   is   taking   all   necessary   steps   in   coordination   with   the   Police   authorities   to   eliminate   it   further. According to Cyberabad Police, 72 Bangladeshis had obtained Indian Passports on the basis of Aadhaar Card over a period of last 5 years. All the passports have been suspended and show cause notices have been issued.

***