Pune Passport Office Sets New Record with 4.73 Lakh Passports in 2025
The passport office in Pune achieved a remarkable milestone in 2025. It issued nearly 4.73 lakh passports during the year. This figure represents the highest issuance ever recorded by the office. Growing opportunities for education, employment, and travel abroad continue to fuel strong demand across the region.
Applications Surge Past 5 Lakh Mark
Official data reveals that more than 5 lakh passport applications were submitted over the course of the year. Out of these, around 4.73 lakh passports were successfully issued to applicants. When compared to 2021, passport issuance from Pune has almost doubled. This sharp increase clearly reflects a significant rise in international mobility. The trend is not limited to Pune city alone. It extends to smaller towns and rural areas throughout the region.
Officials note that the profile of passport applicants has expanded considerably in recent years. "People are travelling abroad for multiple reasons", explained an official. "These include higher education, jobs, business, family functions, and tourism. Applications now arrive in large numbers from suburbs, small towns, and rural pockets as well."
Steady Year-on-Year Growth Observed
Regional Passport Officer Vinod Gaikwad highlighted the consistent upward trend. "In 2024, we received about 4.55 lakh applications", he stated. "In 2025, applications increased by roughly 50,000. Passport issuance also went up by over 30,000 during the same period."
Applying for a passport is no longer driven solely by immediate travel plans. Many companies now require newly recruited employees to obtain passports. Additionally, the number of students going abroad from both urban and rural areas has risen steadily. Renewals of old passports have further contributed to the overall volume.
Infrastructure Expansion Under Consideration
With demand continuing to climb, authorities are actively considering infrastructure expansion. The Passport Seva Kendra at Mundhwa has experienced increased crowding. This is due to higher daily appointments. Officials confirmed that a new location is being examined to enhance overall capacity.
To manage the growing demand effectively, the passport office has increased the number of applications accepted throughout the year. This move has helped reduce waiting times for appointments. The passport seva mobile van has received a strong response from citizens. It has improved access for many people in the region.
Operational Improvements and Citizen Advisories
Staff members are now working on Saturdays to cut down processing time. Further efforts are planned to shorten turnaround in the coming year. However, passport officials have also flagged a concerning issue. Applicants sometimes skip their appointments, especially during festive and vacation periods.
Such absenteeism wastes valuable system time. It also negatively affects individuals with urgent travel needs. Citizens have been urged to cancel appointments in advance if they are unable to attend. Officials reiterated that applicants need not travel to Pune for all services.
Apart from centres at Mundhwa and Solapur, 17 post office passport seva kendras are operational across 14 districts. These include Satara, Sangli, and Kolhapur. Improved police verification systems have further streamlined the process in recent years.
Key Initiatives Enhancing Access
Several initiatives have played a crucial role in improving access and grievance redressal. The Passport Seva Van and regular open house programmes are notable examples. Other factors include the rollout of PSP 2.0 and e-passports. These measures help expedite passport issuance more efficiently.
Authorities also issued a strong advisory to citizens. They urged people to avoid touts and agents. Using official channels for all passport applications remains the safest and most reliable method.
