**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 1250 in Lok Sabha, answered on February 6, 2026, concerning passport services in Gorakhpur. It details the facilities, efficiency, complaint resolution, and future plans for passport and consular services in Gorakhpur and surrounding districts. MEA has approved the shifting of PSK Gorakhpur to a new location with larger space/scalability.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Passport Services Availability:**
* A Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) is operational in Gorakhpur, releasing 1,155 appointments daily (940 Normal, 80 Tatkaal, 135 PCC).
* Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) are operational in nearby districts (Deoria, Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Mau, Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar).
* The "Apply anywhere in India" scheme allows passport applications at any PSK/POPSK.
* Mobile Passport Vans are deployed for on-site processing.
* **Consular Assistance:**
* Indian Missions/Posts offer consular assistance to Indian nationals abroad.
* Indians can contact Missions/Posts via walk-ins, email, social media, and 24x7 helplines.
* Grievance redressal portals (MADAD, CPGRAMS) are available.
* Legal aid and assistance via the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) are provided.
* Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs) exist in Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Kuala Lumpur.
* **Application Processing:**
* Applications at PSKs and POPSKs, including PSK Gorakhpur, are processed on the same day.
* Tatkaal applications are immediately sent for printing after processing.
* Normal applications are sent for police verification on the same day and then printed.
* There are no pending passport applications at PSK Gorakhpur.
* **Complaint Resolution (MADAD Portal, 2023-2025):**
* In 2023, 5794 grievances were received, with 5474 resolved.
* In 2024, 5704 grievances were received, with 5467 resolved.
* In 2025, 6158 grievances were received, with 6454 resolved.
* **Future Plans:**
* MEA has approved the relocation of PSK Gorakhpur to a larger facility.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Citizens of Gorakhpur and Adjoining Districts**
* **Impact:** Access to passport and consular services is detailed, along with various application options and support mechanisms.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available facilities, including PSK, POPSKs, and online resources.
**Stakeholder: Indian Nationals Abroad**
* **Impact:** Information on consular assistance, communication channels, and support systems is provided.
* **Action Required:** Utilize Indian Missions/Posts and associated resources for assistance when needed.
**Stakeholder: Passport Seva Kendra / Post Office Passport Seva Kendra Staff**
* **Impact:** Provided insights into the application processing and complaint procedures.
* **Action Required:** Maintain efficient service as described and prepare for PSK Gorakhpur relocation.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): The central ministry responsible for passport services and related policies, including schemes like 'Apply anywhere in India'.
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK): A center for providing passport-related services to citizens. The document specifically addresses PSKs in Gorakhpur and surrounding districts.
MADAD: A portal for addressing grievances related to passport and consular services, especially for NRIs.
Gorakhpur: The city and region that is the primary focus of the passport services discussed in the document.
Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs): Passport service centers located within post offices, extending the reach of passport services.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1250
ANSWERED ON 06/02/2026
Passport Services in Gorakhpur
† 1250. Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :
(a) the facilities currently available for providing passport and consular
services to the citizens of Gorakhpur and adjoining districts of Uttar
Pradesh;
(b) the details of efficiency, application disposal time and cases lying
pending with Passport Seva Kendras/Post Office Passport Seva Kendras
in Gorakhpur district;
(c) the number of complaints received and resolved through MADAD and
Consular Seva portal for NRIs from Gorakhpur/Purvanchal region working
abroad; and
(d) whether any plan is proposed to expand or upgrade the passport and
consular services in Gorakhpur in future, if so, the details thereof?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) To cater the needs of Passport related services to the citizens of
Gorakhpur and adjoining districts of Uttar Pradesh, a Passport Seva
Kendra (PSK) is operational at Gorakhpur, where total of 1,155 appoint-
ments {940 Normal category appointments, 80 Tatkaal category appoint-
ments and 135 Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) category appointments}
are released on a daily basis. Also, the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras
(POPSKs) in nearby districts of Gorakhpur at Deoria, Maharajganj, Kushin-
agar, Mau, Azamgarh and Ambedkar Nagar districts are operational to
cater the Passport services to the citizens in the area.
Moreover, in June 2018, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had
launched the ‘’Apply anywhere in India’ scheme under which a passport
can be applied at any PSK/POPSK in India. Also, MEA has been regularly
deploying Mobile Passport Van under respective RPOs for on-site passport
processing in the region.
Further, Indian Missions/Posts render all possible consular assistance
to the Indian nationals abroad, whenever required. Indian nationals can
2contact the Indian Missions/Posts abroad via walk-ins, email, social media
platforms, 24x7 emergency telephone numbers and Toll Free Helplines es-
tablished by Missions/Posts abroad, grievance redressal portals like
MADAD, CPGRAMS etc for prompt redressal of their grievances. Indian Mis-
sions and Posts also assist in providing legal aid wherever needed. Mis-
sions and Posts also maintain a local panel of lawyers where Indian com-
munity is in sizeable numbers. Indian nationals who are in distress in for-
eign countries are provided assistance under Indian Community Welfare
Fund (ICWF) set up in all Indian Missions/Posts abroad to meet any contin-
gency expenditure incurred by them, on a means-tested basis. Besides,
Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs) have been set up at Dubai,
Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuala Lumpur to provide assistance to dis-
tressed Indian nationals abroad. Advisories are issued for Indian nationals
from time to time, asking them to exercise due caution and remain vigilant.
The Government remains vigilant to developments impacting the lives of
Indian nationals abroad and takes all measures to safeguard their interests
and welfare.
(b) The applications received in PSKs and POPSKs, including at PSK
Gorakhpur are processed on the same day. If it is a Tatkal category applic-
ation it immediately goes into printing once the application is processed at
3PSK Gorakhpur. If it is a normal category application, then it is sent for po-
lice verification on the same day, it is processed at PSK Gorakhpur. Once
the police verification is received, it immediately goes for printing. There is
no passport application pending with PSK Gorakhpur.
(c) Details of grievances registered and resolved on MADAD Portal for the
period 2023-2025.
Year No. of Grievances Grievances Pending Disposal %
Received Resolved
2023 5794 5474 3663 94
2024 5704 5467 3900 96
2025 6158 6454 3604 104*
* Disposal rate of more than 100% indicates resolution of grievances carry forwarded
from previous years.”
(d) MEA has already approved and directed the Service Provider to shift
the PSK Gorakhpur to a new location with larger space/scalability.
*****
4