Key Points
- 452 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras now operational across 23 postal circles in India
- Nearly 40 lakh passport applications processed through POPSKs in 2025 alone
- Uttar Pradesh leads with 52 centres while Maharashtra follows with 42
India now has 452 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras operational across 23 postal circles, the government told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said these centres have processed over 1.07 crore passport applications since 2023.
The expansion brings passport services closer to citizens in smaller towns and rural areas who previously had to travel to district headquarters or major cities. A POPSK is a passport application centre housed within a post office, allowing applicants to submit documents, complete biometric verification and track their applications without visiting a Passport Seva Kendra.
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For residents of remote areas, this reduces travel time and costs significantly. A citizen in a tehsil town who earlier needed to travel 100 kilometres to a district passport office can now access the same services at a nearby post office.
Passport Applications Through POPSKs Rise Steadily
The data shared in Parliament shows a consistent increase in applications processed through these centres. In 2023, POPSKs handled 35.05 lakh applications. This number dipped slightly to 32.38 lakh in 2024 before rising sharply to 39.59 lakh in 2025, a growth of over 22 per cent year-on-year.
The 2025 figure includes police clearance certificates, which are required for passport renewals and reissues in certain cases. The ministry said it conducts periodic assessments to evaluate how the POPSK expansion affects passport accessibility.
Chandra Sekhar stated that the centres have enhanced last-mile connectivity and made passport services more inclusive across the country. The assessment found that citizens save on travel distance, time and associated costs when using POPSKs instead of traditional Passport Seva Kendras.
State-Wise Distribution of Passport Centres
Uttar Pradesh leads the country with 52 POPSKs, reflecting both its population size and geographic spread. Maharashtra follows with 42 centres, while West Bengal has 41. Bihar, with 37 centres, and Tamil Nadu with 32 complete the top five states.
Several smaller states and union territories have fewer centres. Delhi has only five POPSKs, though the national capital already has multiple Passport Seva Kendras. Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir each have six centres. The North East circle, covering multiple states, has five centres collectively.
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Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh each have 25 centres. Rajasthan has 24, Karnataka has 23 and Andhra Pradesh has 21. Kerala, Punjab and Chhattisgarh have nine centres each.
How POPSKs Differ From Traditional Passport Offices
Traditional Passport Seva Kendras are standalone facilities operated by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with private service providers. These are typically located in district headquarters or major cities. Applicants must book appointments online, visit the centre for document verification and biometric capture, and then await police verification.
POPSKs follow the same process but operate from post office premises. The Department of Posts provides the infrastructure while passport-related services are handled by trained personnel. This partnership allows the government to expand passport services without building new facilities.
The fee structure remains identical across both types of centres. A fresh passport with 36 pages costs ₹1,500, while a 60-page booklet costs ₹2,000. Tatkal applications carry an additional fee of ₹2,000.
What This Means for Applicants
Citizens applying for passports through POPSKs follow the same online process. They must register on the Passport Seva Portal, fill the application form, pay the fee online and book an appointment at their preferred centre. The only difference is the location where they complete biometric verification and document submission.
Police verification timelines remain unchanged regardless of where the application is submitted. The final passport is dispatched by Speed Post to the applicant’s address.
The Ministry of External Affairs and Department of Posts have not announced plans to add more POPSKs in the current financial year. The 452 centres currently operational represent a significant expansion from the initial pilot phase that began in 2017 with a handful of locations.
Your Questions, Answered
What is a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra?
A POPSK is a passport application centre housed within a post office. Citizens can submit documents, complete biometric verification and track applications without visiting a traditional Passport Seva Kendra in a district headquarters.
How many POPSKs are operational in India?
As of March 2025, 452 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras are operational across 23 postal circles in India. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number with 52 centres.
Is the passport fee different at a POPSK?
No. The fee structure is identical at POPSKs and traditional Passport Seva Kendras. A fresh 36-page passport costs ₹1,500 while a 60-page booklet costs ₹2,000.
How do I apply for a passport at a POPSK?
Register on the Passport Seva Portal, fill the application form, pay the fee online and book an appointment at a POPSK near you. Visit the centre for document verification and biometric capture on your appointment date.
