**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of External Affairs' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2247, concerning the establishment of Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) in Bagaha and Ramnagar, Bihar, within the Valmiki Nagar Constituency.
The Ministry confirms that the establishment of POPSKs is an ongoing activity dependent on factors such as distance from existing facilities and application volume. A collaborative initiative between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Posts (DoP) initiated in January 2017 aimed to establish POPSKs in Head Post Offices (HPO) or Post Offices (PO) within each Lok Sabha Constituency (LSC).
As of August 1, 2025, 93 PSKs and 450 POPSKs are operational across the country. In Bihar, 2 PSKs and 37 POPSKs are functional across 39 of the state's 40 LSCs.
Regarding the specific case of Valmiki Nagar LSC, a suitable site for establishing a POPSK is currently being finalized in consultation with the Department of Posts. The operationalization of the POPSK will proceed after a site is secured. The reason for the delay in Bagaha is attributed to the lack of suitable buildings at the Bagaha sub-post office. Alternative arrangements are being considered, with details to be determined upon site finalization. The status of the Ramnagar Post Office Passport Seva Kendra POPSK is that it will be established subsequent to the finalization of a suitable site.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign relations.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Passport Service Centres: Centres established to facilitate passport application processes.
Bagaha, Bihar: A location in Bihar, India where a Passport Service Centre was proposed.
Ramnagar, Bihar: A location in Bihar, India where a Passport Service Centre was proposed.
Valmiki Nagar Constituency: A Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, India.
Department of Posts: The Indian government department responsible for postal services, collaborating with the Ministry of External Affairs on the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) initiative.
Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK): An initiative to open Passport Seva Kendras at Head Post Offices (HPO) in each Lok Sabha Constituency (LSC) in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2247
ANSWERED ON – 01/08/2025
POPSK IN BAGAHA AND RAMNAGAR
†2247. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the approval was accorded to open
Passport Service Centres in sub-post offices in Bagaha and Ramnagar
of Bihar under Valmiki Nagar Constituency;
(b) if so, whether it is also a fact that the said centre is not being
opened in Bagaha sub-post office due to lack of buildings there;
(c) if so, whether the Government is contemplating an alternative
arrangements for the same and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details and status of Ramnagar Post Office Passport Seva
Kendra (POPSK)?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to d) 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 in association with Department of Posts (DoP) had de-
cided in January 2017 to open Passport Seva Kendras at the Head Post
Offices (HPO)/ Post Offices (PO) in the country called Post Office Pass-
port Seva Kendra (POPSK) in each Lok Sabha Constituency (LSC). As on
date, 93 PSKs and 450 POPSKs have been set up in the country and are
in operation to cater to the needs of passport seekers. Under this initia-
tive out of 40 LSCs in Bihar, 2 PSKs and 37 POPSKs are functional in 39
LSCs. A suitable site for establishing a POPSK in Valmiki Nagar LSC is
being finalized in consultation with Department of Posts, subsequent to
this, works will be undertaken to operationalize the POPSK there.
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