Online Passport Seva: The Passport Seva portal, which had been temporarily taken offline for technical maintenance, is now back online ahead of schedule. The Ministry of External Affairs announced that the system was restored at 7:00 PM IST on September 1, 2024, making it accessible to citizens and authorities alike.
The maintenance work, originally expected to take longer, was completed earlier than planned, ensuring minimal disruption to passport-related services. The portal is now fully operational, allowing users to book appointments, renew passports, and access other services.
Rescheduled Appointments for August 30
In light of the maintenance, appointments that were scheduled for August 30, 2024, will be rescheduled. The Ministry has assured applicants that they will be notified of the new appointment dates and times.
However, several users have flagged that the online passport seva website is still not working properly.
Ministry Warns Against Fake Websites
During the portal's downtime, several fraudulent websites and apps surfaced, attempting to exploit applicants by charging exorbitant fees for form submissions and appointment bookings. The Ministry of External Affairs has issued a stern warning to citizens, advising them to avoid these fake platforms, which often use misleading domain names such as .org, .in, and .com.
Among the fraudulent websites identified are:
- www.indiapassport.org
- www.online-passportindia.com
- www.passportindiaportal.in
- www.passport-india.in
- www.passport-seva.in
- www.applypassport.org
Citizens are urged to use only the official website, www.passportindia.gov.in, or the official mPassport Seva mobile app, available on Android and iOS, for all passport-related services.
Earlier, the Ministry highlighted that the recent maintenance was part of a routine procedure. A ministry source stated, "We always have contingency plans for rescheduling appointments. Maintenance activities for public-centric services like Passport Seva Kendras are meticulously planned to minimise inconvenience to the public. Rescheduling appointments will not pose a challenge."
Key Services of the Passport Seva Portal
The Passport Seva portal is crucial for booking appointments at centers nationwide for both new passport applications and renewals. Applicants are required to visit the passport centers on the day of their appointment with the necessary documents for verification. Following this, police verification is conducted, after which the passport is dispatched to the applicant's address.
Applicants can choose between the regular service, which delivers passports within 30-45 working days, and the Tatkaal service, which offers expedited delivery within days.