In a move to make passport services more accessible, the government has announced plans to increase the number of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) across the country. Currently, 442 POPSKs are operational, and this number is set to rise to 600 over the next five years.
The announcement follows the renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Posts. Signed by Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager of the Business Development Directorate, and Dr. KJ Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (PSP & CPO) of the MEA, the MoU underscores a continued commitment to expanding and improving passport services through the postal network.
“Since its inception in 2017, the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras have facilitated passport-related services for over 1.52 crore citizens, particularly in rural and underserved areas,” officials said in a statement. They emphasized that the POPSK initiative has played a crucial role in ensuring wider accessibility to passport services across India.
The expanded network aims to enhance service delivery, streamline operations, and cater to the growing demand for passport-related services. The collaboration between the MEA and the Department of Posts will focus on managing the POPSKs efficiently while maintaining world-class service standards.
With this initiative, the government hopes to make passport services more convenient and reachable for citizens, especially in remote and rural regions.
