The Passport Seva portal, the government’s primary platform for passport applications and renewals, will be temporarily shut down for a five-day maintenance exercise, according to an announcement from the Ministry of External Affairs. The portal will be unavailable from 8:00 p.m. IST on Thursday, August 29, 2024, until 6:00 a.m. IST on Monday, September 2, 2024.
During this period, citizens will not be able to schedule new appointments, and services for all related authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Regional Passport Offices (RPOs), Bureau of Immigration (BOI), Indian Security Press (ISP), Department of Posts (DoP), and Police Authorities, will be temporarily suspended.
The ministry has assured that any appointments previously scheduled for August 30, 2024, will be rescheduled, and applicants will be informed of the new dates. “Passport Seva portal will be down for technical maintenance from 29th August 2024, Thursday 20:00 hrs IST to 2nd September, Monday 06:00 hrs IST. System will not be available during this period for citizens and for all MEA/RPO/BOI/ISP/DoP/Police Authorities. The already booked appointments for 30th August 2024 will be suitably rescheduled and informed to applicants,” stated a notice on the Passport Seva portal.
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A source from the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that the maintenance is part of a routine procedure aimed at ensuring the system’s efficiency and security. “For rescheduling of appointments, we always have contingency plans. The maintenance activity for a public-centric service (like Passport Seva Kendras) is always planned in advance so that no inconvenience is meted out to the public. So rescheduling an appointment will not be a challenge,” the source explained.
The Passport Seva portal plays a crucial role in the passport application process, allowing citizens to book appointments at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) across the country. During these appointments, applicants submit their documents for verification, after which a police verification process takes place. Depending on the chosen mode, applicants can expect their passports within 30-45 working days under the regular mode or within a few days under the Tatkaal mode.
While the temporary shutdown may cause some inconvenience, the government’s proactive communication and contingency planning aim to minimize disruptions to this essential service. Applicants with scheduled appointments are advised to check the Passport Seva portal for updates on their rescheduled dates.