To resolve the issue of non-availability of appointments and to reduce no-shows of applicants, The Ministry of External Affairs has launched an online payment system for booking appointment for passports. This new system will help to deliver passport services to citizens in a timely and transparent way.
The Ministry took positive steps with this launch for passport applicants after an observation that a large number of applicants were not turning up at the Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) despite taking valid appointments. With the online payment-based appointments, applicants will be required to make payment at the time of booking appointment on the MEA website. With this, only genuine applicants will be able to book the appointment and the number of no-shows will reduce.
The online system will be effective from 21st June, 2013 onwards. The new system will be gradually rolled out to all PSKs across the country.
Under the new procedure, payments can be made while booking an appointment on the website, either by Credit /Debit card (both Master and Visa) or internet Banking of the State Bank of India. Applicants can also use the Challan option provided on the website and deposit the money in the State Bank of India (SBI) branch after generating Challan online. In such cases, upon the confirmation of payment receipt by SBI in online system, applicants can take appointment. Further, instead of applicant choosing the date and time slot of appointment, system will automatically give earliest available appointment.
