India to get upgraded e-passports; Jaishankar makes announcement on Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0
New Delhi, June 24: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas that India will soon embark on the second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP-Version 2.0), which will include new and updated e-passports.
Jaishankar urged passport-issuing authorities in India and abroad to reinforce their commitment to providing passport and related services in a "timely, reliable, accessible, transparent, and efficient manner."
"We will soon be embarking on Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, including new and upgraded e-passports," Jaishankar said.
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He went on to say, "In line with the Prime Minister's vision of enhancing the 'Ease of Living' for citizens, these initiatives will usher in a new paradigm of 'EASE": E: Enhanced passport services to citizens, using a digital eco-system A: Artificial Intelligence-powered service delivery S: Smoother overseas travel using chip-enabled e-passports E: Enhanced data security."
"I would like to call on all our passport issuing authorities in India and abroad to join me in renewing our pledge to provide passport and related services to citizens in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent and efficient manner."
The Ministry of External Affairs remarked on Twitter, "Here is a message from EAM @DrSJaishankar, as we observe the Passport Seva Divas today. #TeamMEA reaffirms its commitment to provide passport and related services to citizens in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent and efficient manner."
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) increased the number of daily appointments and organised special Drives on weekends to meet the surge in demand for passport-related services. He stated that the ministry handled a record 13.32 million passports and other services in 2022, a 63% increase over 2021.
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- ANI
