Life a tad easier for passport applicants

The Regional Passport Office (RPO) has increased the quota of daily appointments made online by applicants for passports, and has reviewed the criteria to qualify for 'walk-in' appointments.

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) recently launched the online system of booking appointments with officials, by applicants, to resolve the issue of unavailability of  appointments and to reduce no-shows of applicants.

In Karnataka, the online system was launched for the four Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) on June 21. Based on the actual demand and supply trend in the four PSKs, the appointment distribution within them has been optimised by RPO, Bangalore, enabling applicants to book online round-the-clock.

The system of accepting applications from applicants under ‘walk-in’ categories has been reviewed, and only seven categories of applicants will be entertained daily from September 20, between 9.30 am and 11 am.

The categories are: 1. Senior citizens aged 60 years and above; 2.

Differently-abled citizens; 3. Infants aged less than 3 years of age whose parents hold valid passports, with one of the parent’s passport containing the name of the spouse; 4. Applications for issue of Police Clearance Certificate; 5.
'On Hold’ files; 6. Applicants who were refused tokens due to lack of necessary documents.

Applicants in the above categories can re-visit their respective PSKs within the next three working days, subject to their appointment sheet is duly endorsed by the respective heads of the PSKs during their earlier visit to it on the appointed date and time.

The seventh category permitted for 'walk-in' appointments are central government employees and their dependent minor children. Three categories of applications - minor applicants in the 3-15 age group, applications for reissue of passport in lieu of change in ECR status and Tatkaal applicants, that were hitherto accepted as ‘walk-in’ applicants will no longer be treated so, and they are required to get online appointment for submission of passport applications.

With effect from September 20, applicants applying under ‘Tatkaal’ category will be required to book appointments and visit the PSK at the given reporting time.
Tatkaal appointments will be released two days prior to the date of service.