Executive Summary:
This document is the official response from the Ministry of External Affairs to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office PSKs (POPSKs) in Tamil Nadu. It addresses appointment waiting times, funding for infrastructure, plans for new PSKs/POPSKs, the impact of e-passports, and measures to resolve system issues. The response was provided on July 25, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Appointment Waiting Times:
* The average appointment waiting time in Tamil Nadu is 6-7 working days for normal passports at both PSKs and POPSKs. For Tatkaal passports, the waiting time is 2-3 working days at PSKs.
* The all-India average appointment waiting time is 8-9 working days for normal passports at both PSKs and POPSKs and 2-3 working days for Tatkaal passports at PSKs. Tatkaal service is not available at POPSKs.
Funding and Infrastructure:
* Expenditure for capacity and infrastructure enhancement of PSKs and POPSKs, including those in Tamil Nadu, is covered by the Ministry of External Affairs' budgetary grant.
New PSKs/POPSKs:
* The opening of new PSKs/POPSKs is an ongoing process based on factors like distance from existing facilities and application volume.
* The Ministry of External Affairs, with the Department of Posts, aims to establish POPSKs in each Lok Sabha Constituency where no PSK/POPSK exists.
* As of the response date, there are 93 PSKs and 450 POPSKs operational nationwide, including 8 PSKs and 30 POPSKs in Tamil Nadu, plus 1 PSK and 1 POPSK in Puducherry.
E-Passport Rollout:
* PSP Version 2.0, including e-passport issuance, has been implemented throughout the country, including Tamil Nadu.
* E-passports enhance data integrity and security using an RFID chip, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and digital storage of information.
System Downtimes and Technical Issues:
* The Ministry issues guidelines to Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) and the service provider (Ms. TCS) for smooth coordination.
* Frequent review meetings are conducted with RPOs and the service provider to ensure the smooth functioning of passport services.
Impact Analysis:
Citizens Applying for Passports:
* Impact: Citizens benefit from reduced passport processing times and enhanced security features with the e-passport rollout.
* Action Required: Familiarize themselves with the requirements and procedures for applying for e-passports and utilizing PSKs/POPSKs.
Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) and Service Provider (Ms. TCS):
* Impact: RPOs and the service provider are responsible for implementing the guidelines and instructions from the Ministry to ensure smooth coordination and service delivery.
* Action Required: Implement Ministry guidelines, participate in review meetings, and coordinate to prevent system downtimes and technical issues.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, focus of the parliamentary question regarding passport services.
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK): A dedicated center for passport-related services in India.
Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK): A passport service center operating within a post office, aimed at increasing accessibility.
Thiru Dayanidhi Maran: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha.
Kirti Vardhan Singh: Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign affairs and passport services.
Department of Posts (DoP): The Indian government department responsible for postal services, partnering with MEA for POPSKs.
ePassport: A combined paper and electronic passport with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip for enhanced security.
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?
1ANSWER
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- Normal Tatkaal
pointment Passport Passport
waiting time in PSK POPSK PSK POPSK
working days
(WD) at :
Tamil Nadu 6 – 7 6 – 7 2 – 3 NA*
WD WD WD
All India 8 – 9 8 – 9 2 – 3 NA*
WD WD WD
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
2(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
3(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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