**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs to the Lok Sabha regarding the Passport Seva Ecosystem. It outlines key features of the upgraded Passport Seva Programme (PSP V2.0) and the Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP V2.0), the newly introduced e-passports, and the plan to establish a PSK in Sidhi District of Madhya Pradesh. The rollout of PSP V2.0 was completed on May 26, 2025, and GPSP V2.0 was completed on October 28, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Upgraded Passport Seva Programme (PSP V2.0) and Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP V2.0):**
* Introduces digitally enabled passport ecosystem.
* Incorporates facial recognition and biometric matching.
* Provides citizen support through chatbot.
* Leverages emerging technologies, including SMS/email alerts, data analytics, and report generation.
* Automates document validation to prevent forgery, reduce manual errors and lower operational costs.
* Significantly improves the passport application and grievance-redressal experience.
* Provides citizens with a chatbot and citizen-centric service delivery system.
* Automated biometric matching strengthens security and accelerates decision-making.
* Real-time SMS/email alerts keep citizens informed.
* Tracking of pendency and delays is monitored by the Project Management Unit (PMU) of PSP Division, MEA.
* Feedback kiosks are installed at PSKs to capture qualitative and quantitative inputs from applicants.
* **E-Passport:**
* Is a hybrid passport integrating both paper and electronic elements.
* Features a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip and an embedded antenna as an inlay.
* Incorporates a digital aspect into the existing physical passport, complete with an extensive global digital signature authentication process.
* Crucial information of the passport is printed on its data page and simultaneously stored in the embedded chip.
* Adheres to the specifications outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines.
* **Transition to Upgraded Systems:**
* Comprehensive training was provided to various stakeholders.
* The upgraded Passport Programme Version 2.0 (PSP V2.0) has been rolled out in all 37 Regional Passport Offices and their Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), in a phased manner and on 26th May 2025 the Pan-India roll out PSP V2.0 was completed.
* The Global Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 (GPSP V2.0) has been implemented in all the Missions/Posts worldwide, in a phased manner, and the roll out was completed on 28th October 2025.
* A dedicated Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) in the PSP Division continuously monitors system performance and stability.
* A 24x7 helpline provides round-the-clock support and resolves operational issues.
* **Establishment of PSK/POPSK in Sidhi District, Madhya Pradesh:**
* Opening of Passport Offices (POs)/Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs)/Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) is an on-going activity.
* Depends upon various factors including distance from existing POs/PSKs/POPSKs and the volume of passport applications from a particular region.
* Ministry of External Affairs in association with Department of Posts (DoP) had decided in January 2017 to open Seva Kendras at the Head Post Offices (HPO)/Post Offices (PO) in the country called Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) in each Lok Sabha Constituency (LSC), including Sidhi LSC in Madhya Pradesh, where there is no PSK or POPSK.
* Currently, there is no PSK or POPSK in Sidhi LSC and the DoP has been requested to provide a suitable space for opening a POPSK in Sidhi LSC of Madhya Pradesh.
**Impact Analysis**
**Passport Applicants (Citizens in India and Abroad)**
* **Impact:** Passport applicants will experience a more efficient, transparent, and user-friendly process. They will benefit from improved identity verification, faster processing times, and enhanced communication through SMS/email alerts and chatbot support.
* **Action Required:** No immediate action is required. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the new features and utilize the available resources like the chatbot for guidance.
**Passport Issuing Authorities (RPOs, PSKs, POPSKs, Missions/Posts, OSP, Police Department)**
* **Impact:** These entities have transitioned to upgraded systems (PSP V2.0 and GPSP V2.0), which streamline operations, improve accuracy, and enhance security.
* **Action Required:** These stakeholders completed comprehensive training on the new systems.
**Department of Posts (DoP)**
* **Impact:** The Department of Posts (DoP) is involved in the expansion of passport services through the establishment of POPSKs in each Lok Sabha Constituency (LSC).
* **Action Required:** Provide a suitable space for opening a POPSK in Sidhi LSC of Madhya Pradesh.
Key Entities Referenced
Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 (PSP V2.0): Upgraded version of the Passport Seva Programme with digital enhancements, facial recognition, and process automation.
Global Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 (GPSP V2.0): Upgraded version of the Global Passport Seva Programme, implemented worldwide, with similar enhancements to PSP V2.0.
e-Passport: A hybrid passport featuring a RFID chip and digital signature authentication.
Ministry of External Affairs: The ministry responsible for the Passport Seva Programme and e-Passport initiative.
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK): Service delivery points for passport related services.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 939
ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2025
PASSPORT SEVA ECOSYSTEM
939. DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA
SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA
SHRI JASHUBHAI BHILUBHAI RATHVA
DR. BHOLA SINGH
SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL
SHRI NARAYAN TATU RANE
SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL
SHRI DULU MAHATO
SHRI CHAVDA VINOD LAKHAMSHI
SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH
SHRI RADHESHYAM RATHIYA
SHRI MANOJ TIWARI
SHRI KHAGEN MURMU
SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA
SHRI RAJKUMAR CHAHAR
DR. HEMANG JOSHI
1SHRI SHIVMANGAL SINGH TOMAR
DR. RAJESH MISHRA
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the key features of the upgraded Passport Seva Programme
Version 2.0 (PSP V2.0) and the Global Passport Seva Programme
Version 2.0 (GPSP V2.0);
(b) the manner in which the new digital tools are expected to improve
the passport application and grievance-redressal experience for
citizens;
(c) the key features of the newly introduced e-passports and the
manner in which the same aligns with the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) standards;
(d) the steps taken to ensure a smooth nationwide and global
transition to the upgraded systems; and
(e) whether there is a plan to establish a PSK in Sidhi District of
Madhya Pradesh, if so, the time-line by which it is likely to be
established?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a & b) Upgraded Passport Seva Programme (PSP V2.0) and Global
Passport Seva Programme (GPSP V2.0) introduces a digitally enabled
2passport ecosystem with several innovative enhancements to
improve accuracy, transparency and convenience for applicants in
India and abroad. The platform incorporates facial recognition and
biometric matching to strengthen identity verification and speed up
processing. Citizen support is enhanced through chatbot that offers
application guidance. PSP V2.0 leverages emerging technologies,
including SMS/email alerts, data analytics and report generation.
Process automation supports document validation to prevent forgery,
reduce manual errors and lower operational costs.
New digital tools introduced under PSP V2.0 have significantly
improved the passport application and grievance-redressal
experience by making the process faster, transparent and more user-
friendly. Applicants benefit from chatbot and citizen centric service
delivery system that guide them to the correct service page, provide
information on required documents, appointment availability and
nearest PSK/POPSK. Automated biometric matching strengthens
security and accelerates decision-making during application
processing. Real-time SMS/email alerts keep citizens informed at
every stage of their application cycle. For grievance redressal,
tracking of pendency and delays are continuously being monitored by
Project Management Unit (PMU) of PSP Division, MEA. In addition,
feedback kiosks installed at PSKs capture both qualitative and
3quantitative inputs from applicants, which are analyzed to improve
service delivery and citizen satisfaction.
(c) The e-Passport, the flagship program of the Ministry, is a hybrid
passport integrating both paper and electronic elements, featuring a
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip and an embedded antenna
as an inlay. The e-Passport Project entails incorporating a digital
aspect into the existing physical passport, complete with an
extensive global digital signature authentication process. Crucial
information of the passport is printed on its data page and
simultaneously stored in the embedded chip. The document and chip
adhere to the specifications outlined by the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines.
(d) To ensure smooth nationwide and global transition,
comprehensive training was provided to various stakeholders
including Missions/Posts, RPOs, Police department, Other Service
Provider (OSP) to ensure operational readiness. The upgraded
Passport Programme Version 2.0 (PSP V2.0) has been rolled out in all
37 Regional Passport Offices and their Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)
and Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK), in a phased manner
and on 26th May 2025 the Pan-India roll out PSP V2.0 was completed.
Further, the Global Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 (GPSP V2.0)
has been implemented in all the Missions/Posts worldwide, in a
4phased manner, and the roll out was completed on 28th October 2025.
A dedicated Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) in the PSP Division
continuously monitors system performance and stability, while a 24×7
helpline provides round-the-clock support to users and resolves
operational issues ensuring uninterrupted and efficient service
delivery.
(e) Opening of Passport Offices (POs)/ Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs)/
Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) is an on-going activity
and depends upon various factors including distance from existing
POs/ PSKs/ POPSKs and the volume of passport applications from a
particular region.
Ministry of External Affairs in association with Department of Posts
(DoP) had decided in January 2017 to open Seva Kendras at the Head
Post Offices (HPO)/Post Offices (PO) in the country called Post Office
Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) in each Lok Sabha Constituency
(LSC), including Sidhi LSC in Madhya Pradesh, where there is no PSK
or POPSK. Currently, there is no PSK or POPSK in Sidhi LSC and the
DoP has been requested to provide a suitable space for opening a
POPSK in Sidhi LSC of Madhya Pradesh.
*****
5