Thursday, June 28, 2018

mPassport Seva App – apply for passport on mobile phone from anywhere in India


External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday launched a Passport Seva app that will allow people to apply for the vital travel document from anywhere in the country using their mobile phones. Until now, applicants had no choice but to apply for the document at passport seva kendras (PSKs) in the areas where they lived and the application could only be made on a laptop or a personal computer.

The mPassport Seva App, released on the occasion of the Sixth Passport Seva Divas, is available on both Android and iOS platforms and will have the facilities to apply, pay, and schedule appointments for passport service.
In her address on Passport Seva Diwas, the minister also announced that the government would set up a PSK in every Lok Sabha constituency in the country, a step aimed at simplifying the process for issuing passports. She said each of the 543 LS constituencies would have a PSK at the earliest, directing the MEA and postal department officials to identify places where the new facilities could come up.
As of now there are 307 PSKs across the country. She said.
The Ministry said its other new scheme allows applicants to choose the Regional Passport Office (RPO) and thus the PSK and Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) where they wish to submit their application irrespective of whether the present residential address specified in the application form lies within the jurisdiction of the selected RPO or not.
Swaraj, however, clarified that the police verification would be done on the basis of the residential address.
“The police verification, if required for a specific passport, would be conducted at the address specified in the application form. The passport will be printed and despatched by the RPO selected for application submission by the applicant,” it said.

How to apply for a new passport on phone

Step 1 : Download the free mPassport Seva app on Android or iOS
Step 2 : Tap on New User Registration after opening the app
Step 3 : Select the Passport Office
Note – Select the Passport Office from the list as per the city in which you are residing. The new process allows citizens to apply for a new passport from anywhere in India. This means if you are hometown is in Lucknow and you stay in Chennai, you can apply for a fresh passport or re-issue in lieu of an existing passport from Chennai itself.
Step 4 : Enter personal details like name, date-of-birth, email id
Step 5 : Enter a unique login ID
Note : Think about a unique login ID and check for its availability and then add a strong password. (This process is similar to opening an email ID). You can also keep your email ID as a login ID for the app.
Step 6 : Add a security question and answer
Note – This will come handy when you forget your password.
Step 7 : Enter Captcha
Note – After the confirmation , add the text written inside the small image (Captcha code) and hit submit.
Step 8 : Check for an email from passport.admin
Note – You will then have to activate the account by checking for the email sent by the passport office and clicking on the verification link.
Step 9 : Verify account on Passport Seva website
Note – On clicking the verification link, you will be directed to a webpage and you will be asked to enter your Login ID for confirmation.
Step 10 : Close the app and relaunch it again
Note – Then go to “Existing User” and enter your Login ID followed by the password and Captcha code. After that you will be greeted with a screen saying Apply for Fresh Passport along with other option.
Step 11 : Keep documents handy and fill in the form
Note – Click on Apply for fresh passport, fill in the form and follow the steps shown on the app.
Step 12 : Make Payment
Note – You can opt for digital payment services while applying for a new passport.
Step 13 : Schedule an appointment for document verification
Note – After filling in the form, you will have to fix an appointment to visit a Passport Centre in your city for document verification.
Source : passportindia.gov.in