Passport Seva goes rural.

Services to be shortly launched in pilot mode at 15 select CSC in UP and Jharkhand...

The Ministry of External Affairs (MoEA) plans to reach Passport Seva to rural areas.

Getting a passport will be more easier through PSK

The MoEA, along with Common Services Centers (CSCs) will offer Passport related services through the vast network of over one lakh CSCs across rural hinterland.

The services would be shortly launched in pilot mode at 15 select CSC locations in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand in the second week of March 2014. The full roll out across the country is expected to conclude by end of March 2014.

Under the Passport Seva, the MoEA has made it mandatory to complete the entire form filing process on-line, including payment of applicable fee and scheduling of appointment for seeking Passport related services. The CSCs would facilitate filling and uploading of Passport application form, payment of applicable fee and scheduling of appointment for the visit to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at nominal charge not exceeding US$1.63. As per the appointment schedule, an applicant will have to visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) for completion of application submission process. The services through CSCs would be available throughout the week, including during the weekend.

The CSC Scheme was approved by the Indian government in September 2006 for setting up of 100,000+ Internet enabled centers in rural areas under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). The CSCs are the delivery points for the government, private and social sector services in the areas of agriculture, health, education, banking, insurance, pension, utility bill payments, entertainment, etc. to rural citizens of India at their doorstep. The passport related services are being added as part of their bouquet of services.