There’s good news for people planning to get a passport. The facility to obtain a passport will now be available closer to home. To simplify the process, the government aims to increase the number of passport service centres operated through post offices from 442 to 600 over the next five years. This initiative will save many people from the hassle of travelling long distances, allowing them to easily apply for a passport at their nearest post office.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Posts have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for five years to ensure the seamless availability of passport services through Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK).
More Convenience for Citizens
The MoU was signed by Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager of the Business Development Directorate, Department of Posts, and K J Srinivas, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs. Under this plan, the number of passport service centres will increase to 600 across the country by 2028-29. This will make it easier for citizens to access passport services. The number of users is expected to grow from 35 lakh to one crore in the next five years (Passport Update).
How to Apply for a Passport at a Post Office
Earlier, people had to go to a Passport Service Center to apply for a passport. Now, these services are available at the Common Service Center (CSC) in post offices. To apply, you can visit your nearest post office CSC counter, register, and submit your application. You will need to register online on the official post office website, pay the fee, and submit the form. After completing the process, you will get a date for document verification. On the given date, go to the post office with the required documents.
Documents Needed for Passport Application
To apply for a passport, you will need:
- Birth certificate
- High school mark sheet
- Voter ID
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Driving license
- Ration card
- Notary affidavit
The documents will be verified at the post office. If they are correct, the process will continue. During verification, your fingerprints and retina will be scanned. Once the process is completed, you will get your passport.