The Ministry of External Affairs is launching an online mobile passport van service in Madhya Pradesh, bringing passport services directly to residents, especially in remote areas. The mobile van will act as a fully functional passport office, allowing applicants to complete all necessary formalities near their homes, without needing to visit a passport office.
The service will initially be available in districts lacking Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs), starting with remote areas like Jhabua. This move aims to make the process of obtaining a passport more convenient for people who live in distant or underserved areas. The mobile van will be equipped with all the necessary facilities to carry out passport-related procedures, including:
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Document verification
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Biometric scanning
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Photograph capturing
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Fingerprinting
What is a Passport Seva Camp?
A Passport Seva Camp is a temporary mobile Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or facility set up in areas far from regular PSKs. These camps are deployed in cities, towns, and university campuses. Applicants from these areas can visit the camp to submit their passport applications. The camp has all necessary services, including Citizen Service Executives, Verification Officers, Granting Officers, consoles with internet access, and devices like cameras, document printers, scanners, and fingerprint capture devices for processing applications.
How to Apply for mobile passport van service
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Applicants will need to visit the official website passportindia.gov.in to book an appointment.
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After booking, they can choose the mobile van service option.
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Once the slot is booked, the van will arrive at the designated location at the scheduled time to complete all the formalities.
The mobile van service offers significant benefits, particularly for those with busy schedules or limited access to passport offices. Applicants can choose an appointment slot according to their convenience, making the process more flexible. The service is designed to be quick and efficient, with all stages from booking to document verification completed on-site.
Currently, Madhya Pradesh issues over 2 lakh passports annually, with a target to increase that number to 3 lakh. This new initiative is part of the effort to streamline passport services and ensure more people have access to them, no matter where they live.
Shitanshu Chaurasia, the Regional Passport Officer, highlighted that the service would be particularly beneficial for people in remote areas. The mobile passport van service will begin in Jhabua and gradually expand to other underserved regions in the state, bringing essential services closer to people’s doorsteps.
FAQs about Passport Seva Camp
Q1: What category of applications can be submitted at the Camp?
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Only applications for Fresh Issuance or Re-issue of passports under the Normal scheme can be submitted.
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Tatkaal, PCC, and other miscellaneous applications are not accepted.
Q2: Do I need to submit my passport application form online before visiting the Camp?
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Yes, applicants must submit their application form online via the Passport Seva Portal.
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After submitting, print the Application Reference Number (ARN) receipt and carry it to the camp.
Q3: Can I apply for a Tatkaal passport through the Camp?
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No, Tatkaal applications are not accepted at the Camp.
Q4: Can I apply for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) through the Camp?
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No, PCC applications are not accepted at the Camp.
Q5: Can I apply for Background Verification for GEP applications through the Camp?
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No, Background Verification for GEP applications is not accepted at the Camp.
Q6: Do I need an appointment to visit the Camp?
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Yes, applicants must submit their application form online, pay the applicable fee, and book an appointment before visiting the Camp.
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Details will be available on the Passport Seva Portal homepage.
Q7: How can I make the payment before visiting the Camp? What are the accepted methods?
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Online payment is mandatory for booking appointments at the Passport Seva Camp.
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Accepted methods:
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Credit/Debit Cards (MasterCard, Visa)
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Internet Banking (SBI and Associate Banks)
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Q8: Will a manually filled application form be accepted at the Camp?
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No, only online application forms are accepted. Applicants must submit the form online, pay the fee, and book an appointment.
Q9: What documents do I need to carry when applying for a passport through the Camp?
Applicants must bring:
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Online Application Reference Number (ARN) receipt
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SBI Payment Receipt, if applicable
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Originals of required supporting documents, with self-attested photocopies
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Two recent passport-size photos (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm, white background)
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Old passport booklet for re-issue (the old passport will be canceled and returned to the applicant after processing).
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