Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) are extended branches of Passport Offices in India, responsible for delivering passports and related services, mainly in tier 1 and tier 2 cities. PSKs were introduced under the Passport Seva Project (2010) in partnership with Tata Consultancy Services, they provide both offline and online services, eliminating the need for agents and ensuring safer, faster, and more transparent applications. While the Ministry of External Affairs oversees core functions, PSKs integrate multiple departments to streamline passport issuance and improve efficiency across the country.
The following are the vital responsibilities and roles of a Passport Seva Kendra:
Follow the steps given below to apply online at PSK and schedule an appointment:
Step 1: To apply online, you will have to visit the official Passport Seva website. If you are a new user, you will have to register yourself first.
Step 2: Once registered, log in using your newly created username and password.
Step 3: Choose the option “Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport” and fill in the form with details like your name and contact information.
Step 4: Navigate to the option “View Saved/Submitted Applications,” select “Pay and Schedule Appointment.”
Step 5: You will have to complete the online payment (mandatory) using one of the options given below:
Step 6: Click on the option “Print Application Receipt” if you want a copy of your application. Do note that carrying the printout to PSK is not mandatory. If you have an SMS with your Appointment Reference Number (ARN), it will be considered valid.
Follow the steps given below to apply offline at PSK and schedule an appointment:
Step 1: You will have to download the application form from the Passport Seva portal and take a printout.
Step 2: Fill it with the required details (application type, name, place of birth, etc.).
Step 3: Next, upload the completed form online.
Once submitted, visit your nearest PSK on the scheduled date with your original documents.

The step-by-step procedure to check the appointment availability at a PSK is mentioned below
Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva Portal.
Step 2: On the homepage, click on “Appointment Availability Status” (this option is available without login).
Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select the desired Passport Office / PSK / Post Office PSK (POPSK).
Step 4: Enter the captcha code displayed.
Step 5: Click on “Check Appointment Availability”.
Step 6: The system will display available dates and time slots for different application types (Fresh Passport / Reissue / PCC / Diplomatic / Official).
The following are the steps to check the PSK application status online:
Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva Portal.
Step 2: On the homepage, click on “Track Application Status”.
Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select your Application Type (e.g., Passport/PCC/IC, Diplomatic/Official, RTI, etc.).
Step 4: Enter your File Number (ARN – Application Reference Number) and Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY).
Step 5: Click on “Track Status”.
Step 6: The current status of your application (e.g., Submitted, Under Review, Pending Police Verification, Granted, Printed, Dispatched) will be displayed on the screen.
You can check your passport application status offline using the following methods:
In-Person Inquiry: Visit your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO) to check the status directly.
Make a note of the points given below to ensure your visit to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) simple and stress-free, keep these points in mind:
Phone number : 1800-258-1800
Email: passport.pg@mea.gov.in
You can contact Passport Seva on this contact number any day between Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The working hours of Passport Seva Kendra are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) or Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) provide front-end services associated with passport issues and are the expanded branches of passport offices.
No, an applicant has to be physically present when submitting the passport application at the Passport Seva Kendra as per the new system.
The services offered by PSK or POPSK are reissue of passports, issuance of fresh passports, passport renewals, and police clearance certificates.
No, you cannot visit the Passport Seva Kendra without an appointment.
Yes, you can reschedule or cancel your appointment at Passport Seva Kendra twice a year.
To track your application status after visiting the Passport Seva Kendra, you can use the Passport Seva portal and click the Track Application status link under the Passport service section.
It would take around two to three weeks to get a passport through PSK.
A total of 452 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) are currently operational across 23 postal circles in India. These centres have processed approximately 1.07 crore passport applications since 2023. In 2023, the number of passport applications processed through the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras was 35.05 lakh, whereas in 2024, the number dropped to 32.38. However, in 2025, the number of passport applications processed increased to 39.59 lakh, indicating a steady rise in popularity.
Uttar Pradesh has the greatest number of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras in the country, with 52 centres. Maharashtra and West Bengal follow second and third, with 42 and 41 centres respectively. The Post Office Passport Seva Kendras throughout the country have helped bridge the gap between urban and rural applicants by making the application process more accessible and reducing travel time and cost for rural applicants.
Responding to an increase in passport applications in January, the Regional Passport Office (RPO) Ahmedabad will conduct a special Saturday drive on 7 February at its Bapunagar and Vijay Crossroads Passport Seva Kendras. On 29 January at 3:00 IST, more appointment times for the Tatkal and regular categories were made available online. Candidates can reschedule the new date if they have later-dated reservations or missed earlier slots.
Recent data from the Ministry of External Affairs shows that Goa leads the nation when it comes to delivering normal passports in a record-breaking four days. While the official national standard remains 30 days, regional performance varies significantly, with Raipur, Chhattisgarh, taking up to 40 days. Following Goa, the Kerala offices of Cochin and Kozhikode rank second with an average of five days. The adoption of digital police verification via the mPassport app has reduced processing times in Mumbai (7 to 14 days), Chennai (9 to 15 days), and Bengaluru (8-16 days).

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