Passport Seva Kendras

The Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, provides passport services through the Central Passport Organization (CPO) and its network of Passport Offices, Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs); and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs). Consular, Passport and Visa services to overseas Indians/Foreign nationals are provided by the PSP Division through the Indian Missions and Posts abroad. Indian passports are issued through the network of 36 Passport Offices, Headquarters at CPV Division (only Diplomatic and Official passports) and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration. This network has been expanded by adding 93 PSKs and 424 POPSKs as extended arms of the 36 Passport Offices. For Indians living abroad, passport and other miscellaneous services are rendered by the 190 Indian Missions/Posts abroad. All Passport Offices issue machine-readable passports as per the guidelines laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Central Passport Organization (CPO) was created in 1959 as a subordinate office of the Ministry of External Affairs and is headed by Joint Secretary (Passport Seva Programme) and Chief Passport Officer, who also acts as the Appellate Authority under the Passports Act,1967 and the Head of Department under the Delegation of Financial Powers Rules 1978. The Head Quarter of the CPO is in the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Division of the Ministry. The Division works under the supervision of Secretary (CPV & OIA). Joint Secretary (CPV) is responsible for the issue of diplomatic and official passports, consular and visa matters.