The Passport Seva portal is an essential tool for citizens seeking to book appointments at various centers nationwide for both new passport applications and renewals. The Passport Seva portal, which serves as the primary online platform for passport services, will be temporarily unavailable for a duration specifically from September 20 to September 23. This announcement was made via the official account on X and also posted on the website. According to a notice issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the portal will undergo technical maintenance starting at 8 PM IST on September 20, 2024, and will remain offline until 6 AM IST on September 23. During this maintenance period, the system will not be accessible to citizens or any associated authorities, including MEA, RPO, BOI, ISP, DoP, and Police Authorities. The notice further states that any appointments already scheduled will be appropriately rescheduled, and applicants will be notified accordingly. Once an appointment is secured, individuals are required to visit the designated passport center on the specified date, bringing along the necessary documentation.
The Ministry of External Affairs has characterized this maintenance as a standard procedure. A source from the ministry emphasized that there are contingency plans in place for the rescheduling of appointments. The maintenance activities for public services, such as those provided by Passport Seva Kendras, are meticulously planned in advance to ensure minimal disruption to the public. Therefore, the process of rescheduling appointments is not expected to pose any difficulties. Following the verification of these documents, a police verification process will be initiated to complete the application procedure.Your passport will subsequently be sent to your designated address. You have the option to select either standard delivery, which takes approximately 10 to 15 business days, or the expedited Tatkaal delivery, which is available within 2 to 3 business days.
This scheduled maintenance is intended to improve the overall performance and reliability of the Passport Seva portal. The upcoming maintenance will impact all users of the Passport Seva portal, resulting in the inability to schedule new appointments, check the status of applications, or utilize any other services provided on the platform. Applicants will be informed via SMS regarding any changes to their appointment schedules.Such updates are crucial for accommodating the growing number of applications and ensuring a more seamless user experience. For those requiring urgent assistance, Regional Passport Offices can be contacted through email or phone; however, please be aware that response times may be longer than usual due to the ongoing maintenance activities.
