On the 14th Passport Seva Divas, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official announced that India's passport service network has expanded six-fold over the past decade, now comprising 545 Passport Kendras across the country, up from just 77 ten years ago. In 2025 alone, 1.5 crore passports and related services were delivered, with passports accounting for 1.39 crore of that total.
Service Efficiency and Turnaround Time
The MEA official highlighted that the average time spent at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) is less than 45 minutes, excluding police verification. The standard processing time for passport issuance is six working days. Last year, 10 new POPSKs were opened, and another 10 are planned for this year.
Visa-Free and Visa-on-Arrival Access for Indians
The official also noted significant improvements in international mobility for Indian passport holders. Currently, Indians enjoy visa-free entry to 27 countries, up from 16 in 2019. Additionally, 47 countries offer visa-on-arrival for Indians, and 66 countries provide electronic visa facilities. These enhancements reflect ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease travel for Indian citizens.
Mobility Agreements and Digital Milestones
The MEA official emphasized that mobility agreements, particularly with European nations, facilitate easier movement for academics, students, apprentices, tourists, and businesspeople. These agreements also include mechanisms for the return of illegal migrants. On the digital front, the upgraded Passport Seva Programme (PSP V2.0) has been successfully operationalized domestically, while the Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP V2.0) has been deployed at Indian missions worldwide to better serve the diaspora.
E-Passports and Ministerial Remarks
A key technological advancement is the rollout of chip-enabled e-passports, which meet international security and authentication standards. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in a message on X, praised the efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric passport services, attributing the success to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance." He noted that the Passport Seva Divas marks the anniversary of the Passports Act of 1967 and serves as a reflection on the modernization of India's passport infrastructure.
The MEA official also clarified that a passport is primarily a travel document, not proof of citizenship.
