**Executive Summary**
The document presents the Ministry of External Affairs' response to Unstarred Question No. 1032 regarding e-passport and consular services in Tamil Nadu. The response, dated December 5, 2025, details the initiation of e-passport services, measures to support Indian travelers and workers abroad, and services for Haj pilgrims from India, including Tamil Nadu. There are no specific action items or deadlines mentioned for stakeholders in this response beyond the operational implementation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **E-Passport Services:**
* E-Passport services initiated at all Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) in May 2025 and at Indian Missions/Posts abroad in October 2025.
* E-Passports issued to all citizens, including those traveling to the USA, UK, EU countries, Arab, UAE, and Middle East.
* **Consular Services:**
* ‘SEWA – Indian Consular Services System’ launched to create an online platform for Indian nationals to apply online for various consular services at Indian Missions/Posts abroad.
* **Support for Indians Abroad:**
* Grievances of Indians traveling and working abroad are addressed through various channels, including calls, walk-ins, e-mails, social media, 24x7 helplines, and Open Houses.
* Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs) have been established in Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Kuala Lumpur to assist Indian workers abroad.
* Shelter homes for distressed Indian nationals have been set up at some Missions/Posts.
* Financial assistance is provided to distressed Indians through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).
* Missions/Posts proactively help distressed/stranded Indian nationals by providing food, shelter, and medicine, and assisting their return to India.
* **Services for Haj Pilgrims:**
* Measures implemented to facilitate services for Haj pilgrims from India, including those from Tamil Nadu.
* Administrative branch offices in Makkah and Madinah serve as centralized hubs for addressing pilgrim grievances.
* The Indian Haj Pilgrims' Office (IHPO) functions as the nodal agency for providing services to Indian Haj pilgrims.
* State Haj Committees and the Haj Committee of India facilitate and support pilgrims during the pre-departure phase.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Citizens:**
* **Impact:** Easier and more efficient access to passport and consular services, especially for those traveling abroad. Support and assistance available for those working or traveling abroad in distress. Streamlined processes for Haj pilgrims.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the online SEWA platform for consular services, be aware of PBSKs and support systems abroad in case of need, and follow guidelines provided by Haj committees.
**Indian Missions/Posts Abroad:**
* **Impact:** Greater responsibility for providing consular services, addressing grievances, and assisting distressed Indian nationals.
* **Action Required:** Implement e-passport services, manage the SEWA platform, actively address grievances through various channels, operate and maintain shelter homes, and provide financial assistance through ICWF.
**Haj Committee of India and State Haj Committees:**
* **Impact:** Continued role in facilitating and supporting Haj pilgrims, particularly during the pre-departure phase.
* **Action Required:** Continue to facilitate and support pilgrims during the pre-departure phase, coordinate with IHPO for Haj-related services.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign relations.
Tamil Nadu: An Indian state prominently mentioned in the context of e-passport services and Haj pilgrimage facilitation.
e-Passport services: The initiative to provide electronic passports to Indian citizens.
'SEWA - Indian Consular Services System': An online platform to enable Indian nationals to apply online for various consular services.
Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF): Provides financial assistance to distressed Indians abroad.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1032
ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2025
E-PASSPORT AND CONSULAR SERVICES IN TAMIL NADU
1032. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) whether the Government has initiated e-passport and consular
services for large number of people travelling to foreign countries
especially the USA, UK, EU countries, Arab, UAE and other Middle East
countries and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the total number of persons from Tamil Nadu who travelled to
foreign countries including the said countries during the last five
years;
1(c) the effective steps taken by the Government to mitigate the
problems faced by the Indians travelling and working in foreign
countries; and
(d) whether the Government has taken any steps to establish adequate
facilitation centres for providing services for HAJ pilgrims from vellore
Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) The Government has initiated e-Passport services, at all Regional
Passport Offices (RPOs) in May 2025 and at all Indian Missions/Posts
abroad in October 2025. Currently, e-passport is issued to all citizens
including people travelling to foreign countries such as USA, UK, EU
countries, Arab, UAE and Middle East countries. Moreover, the
Government has also started ‘SEWA – Indian Consular Services
System’ which is aimed at creating an online platform, enabling Indian
2nationals to apply online for various consular services at Indian
Missions/Posts abroad.
(b) State-wise data of Indians travelling to foreign countries is not
available.
(c) The Government has taken several steps to mitigate the problems
faced by the Indians travelling and working in foreign countries
through Indian Missions/Posts abroad on top priority. Grievances are
responded through various channels like calls, walk-ins, e-mails, social
media, 24x7 Helplines and Open Houses. As required, these issues are
taken up with the employers and the host government as the case may
be, for requisite action. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs)
have been set up at Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuala Lumpur
to provide assistance to Indian workers abroad. Shelter homes for
distressed Indian nationals have also been set up at some
Missions/Posts. Mission officials visit immigration offices and labour
camps to address the complaints of Indian workers. Financial
assistance to distressed Indians, if necessary, is provided through the
Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF). During emergency or crisis
3situations, our Missions/Posts abroad pro-actively help
distressed/stranded Indian nationals in terms of providing food,
shelter, medicine and helping their return to India.
(d) The Government has implemented various measures to facilitate
services for Haj pilgrims from India, including those from Tamil Nadu.
Key components of these initiatives include administrative branch
offices, located in Makkah and Madinah, which serve as centralized
hubs designed to address the grievances of pilgrims. These offices act
as a one-stop centre, providing essential support and resolving issues
efficiently. Moreover, the Indian Haj Pilgrims’ Office (IHPO), in its
fiduciary capacity and under the guidance of the Ministry of Minority
Affairs, functions as the nodal agency for providing services to Indian
Haj pilgrims arriving through the Haj Committee of India. The IHPO
procures and coordinates various Haj-related services within the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In India, the State Haj Committees and the
Haj Committee of India facilitate and support pilgrims during the pre-
departure phase. This comprehensive framework ensures efficient
4service delivery and support for Indian pilgrims throughout the Haj
season.
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