Passport Seva Kendra - Good stuff from Govt.
I completely give my thumbs up to this new initiative called Passport Seva Kendra from the Ministry of external affairs, India. Passport has become a must have these days and I am pretty sure most of us have faced problems with the complications, delays and paperwork involved in the passport issue process. These are understandable when you are applying for a fresh passport but sadly, the process for passport renewal/reissue is equally time consuming as applying for a fresh passport, only because there is no credit given to the fact that I already have a passport and that I have already provided all the necessary proofs to what it takes to get a passport.
And this is exactly what has been fixed in this new system. The process hasn't changed much, but the implementation has changed, making the process much more faster. Now, if I am applying for passport reissue or renewal, the whole process of police verification is carried out after the passport has been dispatched. And it saves a considerable amount of time. We have applied for the change in name in passport for Shruti on 2nd Aug, and we had our passport in our hand on 13th Aug - yes, only in 9 working days. Of course, the police verification will happen now, but we don't have to bother about that. We have a valid passport and it can be used for all practical purposes.
The tatkal process for reissue and renewal has been modified accordingly. Now, you don't need any extra documents or affidavits for Tatkal application , which saves a lot of run around to the govt officials and of course the bribe. For all Tatkal applications for passport reissue/renewal, PSK ensures the dispatch within 3 working days, which is then followed by the routine police verification.
Also, few other notable things are
1. We submitted our entire application online. There is an online provision for submitting the scanned copies of documents too, but still you will have to carry all the original documents with photocopies.
2. The centers are very well facilitated with AC waiting hall, paid photocopy machine, a small snack and tea/coffee counter, rest rooms and a baby care area too.
3. No need to carry photos. Each counter is equipped with a digital camera and you are clicked right there.
4. Once you submit your application online, you can book an appointment at the PSK. The usual wait time is about 20-30 days. But you can walk in too and finish the process the same day. However, don't go by the duration mentioned for your slot, it said 45 mins for us but it took 4 and a half hours for us.
Their queue system does have some flaws and need rectification like merging the application submission and document verification counters, but still, this was a much needed fix in the passport reissue process and I do believe that it will get better with time.
This is the link for PSK - passportindia.gov.in