Lok Sabha Question No. 1116 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-25
Subject: PSKs and POPSKs in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thiru Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1116

ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025

PSKs AND POPSKs IN TAMIL NADU

## 1116.  THIRU DAYANIDHI MARAN

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the current average appointment waiting time at each Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and Post Office PSK in Tamil Nadu and how does it compare with the national average;

(b)   the   amount   of   funds   allocated   and   utilised   for   capacity   and infrastructure enhancement of PSKs in Tamil Nadu during the last two years, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government plans to open new PSKs or Post Office PSKs in Tamil Nadu, if  so, the details of  proposed locations and timelines regarding it;

(d) the impact of e-passport rollout on processing capacity and waiting times at PSKs in Tamil Nadu; and

(e)   the   measures   being   taken   to   resolve   system   downtimes   and technical issues affecting passport services in the State?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) The current average appointment waiting time (in working days) at Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) in Tamil Nadu and at all India level are as below:

| Average ap- pointment                  | Normal Passport   | Normal Passport   | Tatkaal Passport   | Tatkaal Passport   |
|----------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| waiting time in working days (WD) at : | PSK               | POPSK             | PSK                | POPSK              |
| Tamil Nadu                             | 6 - 7 WD          | 6 - 7 WD          | 2 - 3 WD           | NA*                |
| All India                              | 8 - 9 WD          | 8 - 9 WD          | 2 - 3 WD           | NA*                |

Note: * = Provision of  Tatkaal Passport is not available at POPSKs.

WD = Working Days.

(b)   Expenditure   for   capacity   and   infrastructure   enhancement   of Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras

(POPSKs) in the country, including in the State of Tamil Nadu, is met from the budgetary grant of the Ministry of External Affairs. (c) Opening of a PSK/POPSK is an on-going activity and depends upon various factors including distance from an existing PSK / POPSK and the volume of passport applications from a particular region. Ministry of   External  Affairs   (MEA)   in   association   with   Department   of   Posts (DoP) had decided in January 2017 to open Passport Seva Kendras at the Head Post Offices (HPO)/ Post Offices (PO) in the country called Post   Office   Passport   Seva   Kendra   (POPSK)   in   each   Lok   Sabha Constituency (LSC) in India, including in Tamil Nadu, where there is no PSK or POPSK. As on date, 93 PSKs and 450 POPSKs have been set up in the country and are operational to cater to the needs of passport seekers. There are 8 PSKs and 30 POPSKs in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, there is 1 PSK and 1 POPSK in Puducherry. (d)   &   (e)   Quality   services   with   reduced   passport   application processing time are being provided to the people from PSKs/POPSKs established with good amenities across the country, including in the State of Tamil Nadu, in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. As on date, the PSP Version 2.0 alongwith the issuance of ePassport has been rolled out through out the country. e-Passport is a combined paper and electronic passport with a Radio Frequency Identification

(RFID) Chip and an antenna embedded as an inlay. The key benefit of the ePassport lies in its enhanced capability to preserve the integrity of   its   data   by   having   the   data   both   printed   on   the   passport   and digitally stored on the passport's chip; it becomes more challenging to counterfeit.   In   addition,   the   security   of   the   ePassport   is   further enhanced through the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) which is the foundation for safeguarding sensitive information, and confirming the integrity and origin of personal and biometric data stored on the chip within the ePassport.

Currently, the PSP Version 2.0 alongwith the issuance of ePassport has been rolled out through out the country, including in the State of Tamil Nadu. The PSP V2.0 aims at providing the next level of citizen experiences   using   latest   and   upgraded   technology   for   delivery   of passport related services to the citizens in a speedy, convenient and transparent manner. Also, from time to time, Ministry issues guidelines and instructions to Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) and the Service Provider (M/s TCS) to ensure smooth coordination at functional level. Frequent review meetings are also being conducted with RPOs and the Service   Provider   to   ensure   the   smooth   functioning   of   Passport Services without any downtimes and any technical glitches.

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