Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that a Passport Seva Kendra will be established in each of the 543 parliamentary constituencies across the country. This declaration was made on January 11, 2025, during the inauguration of a Passport Seva Kendra in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, the constituency he represents.
Additionally, Scindia revealed plans to open six new passport centers in Madhya Pradesh this year. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to set up a Passport Seva Kendra in every parliamentary constituency to enhance service accessibility. The Department of Posts, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, is dedicated to bringing this initiative to fruition,” he stated.
The Minister also highlighted that approximately 6,000 post offices have been opened nationwide. He emphasized the importance of reviving the tradition of handwritten letters, which he believes convey genuine emotions.
Scindia noted the technological advancements within post office services, explaining that residents of Guna previously had to travel to Bhopal and Gwalior to obtain passports, a situation that will be alleviated by the establishment of the Passport Seva Kendra.
In December last year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was renewed for five years between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Posts to ensure continuous access to passport services via the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs). The MoU was signed by Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager of the Business Development Directorate on behalf of the Department of Posts, and Dr. KJ Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (PSP & CPO) from the Ministry of External Affairs. This agreement outlines a mutual commitment to efficiently manage and support the operations of POPSKs, guaranteeing that citizens receive top-tier passport services at their local post offices.
According to official sources, the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs), launched in 2017, have significantly contributed to providing passport services to over 1.52 crore citizens, especially in rural and underserved regions, thus increasing accessibility. The total number of operational POPSKs has risen, now standing at 442 centers across the nation.
This renewed MoU aims to reinforce the collaboration between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Posts, with the goal of improving service delivery, optimizing operations, and addressing the growing demand for passport-related services.
As part of this initiative, there are plans to expand the number of Passport Seva Kendras to 600 by 2028-29, ensuring enhanced accessibility and convenience for citizens. This expansion is expected to increase the annual customer base from 3.5 million to 10 million over the next five years.
This initiative demonstrates the collaborative efforts of both ministries to enhance the citizen experience through a seamless, accessible, and efficient passport issuance process, thereby strengthening India’s postal network and making passport services more reliable and readily available to all citizens.