Lok Sabha Question No. 3905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-11
Subject: Criteria for Passport
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3905 ANSWERED ON-11/08/2023

## CRITERIA FOR PASSPORT

## †3905. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government has announced two major changes to facilitate and accelerate the process of getting passports for the first time applicants and ease the process of getting the time slot for passport appointment and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether fulfilment of criteria of mandatory enclosure of three documents with the application will ensure the availability of a new passport for citizens under General category within one week only; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and whether the Government proposes to open new passport service centres at some new locations in the country and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b) Ministry has been simplifying the passport issuing process. The end to end application submission has been made online including payment of fee and scheduling of appointments etc. The Passport portal [www.passportindia.gov.in] is accessible to anyone, from anywhere and anytime in India. Citizens can also apply, pay and schedule appointments for passport services on mPassportSeva Mobile App, and do not require access a computer and printer to apply for passport services. Ministry's mPassport Police App is being used by Police authorities for verification of antecedents' of the applicant in a 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. In the Normal/General category, for first time, applicants Passport is issued on the basis of Clear Police Verification Report (PVR).

For speedy issuance of Passports, there is a 'Tatkaal Scheme' in place, wherein 03 documents, out of the 13 listed documents ( Ref Annexure-I) are to be submitted along with the passport application.

(c) It was decided in January 2017 to open Passport Kendra at the Head Post Offices (HPO)/Post Offices (PO) in the country called Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) in each Lok Sabha Constituency where there is no Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or POPSK. This was executed through a partnership between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Posts. As on date, 93 PSKs and 431 POPSKs have been set up in the country and are operational to cater to the needs of passport seekers.

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## If the applicant is 18 years and above, any three out of the following thirteen documents shall be submitted with the 'Tatkaal Application'

- i. Aadhaar Card or e-Aadhaar containing the 12 digit Aadhaar number or 28-digit Aadhaar enrolment ID printed on the Aadhaar enrolment slip issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI);
- ii. Electors Photo Identify Card (EPIC);
- iii. Permanent Account Number (PAN);
- v. Bank passbook or Kisan Passbook or Post Office Passbook;
- iv. Driving   licence   (valid   and   within   the   jurisdiction   of   State   of   submission   of applicant);
- vi. Student Photo Identity Card issued by a recognised educational institution;
- viii. Service Photo Identity Card issued by State Government or Central Government,  Public Sector Undertakings, Local Bodies or Public Limited Companies;
- vii. Birth Certificate issued under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969);
- ix. Pension Document such as ex-servicemen's Pension Book or Pension Payment Order issued   to   retired   Government   employees,   ex-servicemen's   widow   or   Dependent Certificate, Old age pension order;
- xi. Arms Licence issued under the Arms Act, 1959 (54 of 1959);
- x. Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Class Certificate;
- xii. Ration Card; and
- xiii. Last passport issued (in case of reissue only).

## If the applicant is 'Minor', any two out of the following six documents shall be submitted with the 'Tatkaal Application'

- i. Aadhaar   Card   or   e-Aadhaar   containing   the   12   digit   Aadhaar   number   or   28-digit Aadhaar enrolment ID printed on the Aadhaar enrolment slip issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI);
- iii. Student Photo Identity card issued by a recognised educational institution;
- ii. Permanent Account Number (PAN);
- iv. Birth Certificate issued under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (18 of 1969);
- vi. Last passport issued (in case of reissue only).

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- v. Ration Card; and