Passport New Update: In India, the passport service has long been considered a successful example of government efficiency. Online applications, timely appointments, biometric procedures, and delivery within a stipulated time frame have made it reliable for the general public. However, the situation now seems to be changing. Despite the process being completely digital, the time taken to receive a passport is continuously increasing, causing distress to ordinary citizens.
Regular Passports Taking Longer
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Until a few years ago, a regular passport was issued in about a week. In 2023, it was being issued in an average of 9 days. This period increased to about 14 days in 2024, and now the situation is such that it takes an average of 17 days to get a regular passport. The service that was considered fast and timely is now showing signs of inefficiency.
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Emergency Passport Service Also Losing Its Edge
The biggest concern is regarding emergency passports. This service was specifically designed for situations like medical treatment abroad, studies, jobs, or sudden travel. Earlier, passports in the emergency category were issued within 24 to 48 hours, but now, even in this category, people have to wait for an average of 7 days. In many cases, this delay is causing significant losses to people.
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Why are files stuck despite a digital system?
The government is touting the passport service as completely online under Digital India and e-governance. Application, appointment, document upload, and tracking – everything is digital. Despite this, people are wondering why files remain pending for weeks and why the process is not completed within the stipulated time, even though every step is online.
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Police Verification Becoming the Biggest Obstacle
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According to passport officials, the biggest reason for the delay is police verification. In many cases, the police report does not reach the passport office on time at the local level, resulting in pending applications. According to reports, in Rajasthan alone, more than two thousand passport applications are pending for more than 30 days due to police verification. The question also arises: when the technology is available, why is the verification process still being conducted in the old-fashioned way?
Direct impact on ordinary citizens
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This delay is directly affecting the daily lives of citizens. People are forced to make repeated trips to passport offices and police stations for matters related to jobs, education, business, and medical treatment. After applying, the portal only shows “Police Verification Pending,” but there is no clear timeframe for when this pending status will be resolved.