New Delhi: India is preparing to launch the second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP-Version 2.0), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar revealed during the Passport Seva Divas event on Saturday.

This phase will introduce new and enhanced e-passports, he said.

Lauding the efforts of the passport-issuing officials of the External Affairs Ministry, Jaishankar said that the ministry processed a record 13.32 million passports and miscellaneous services in 2022, marking a rise of 63 percent from 2021.

EAM Jaishankar said that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) after the COVID-19 pandemic rose to address the heightened demand for passport-related services by increasing the number of daily appointments and organising special Drives over the weekends.

In his address, Jaishankar urged passport-issuing authorities in India and abroad to join him in reaffirming their commitment to delivering passport and related services in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent, and efficient manner.

The announcement highlights the government's dedication to improving the passport issuance process and ensuring a seamless experience for Indian citizens seeking passport services.

Ministry of External Affairs shared Jaishankar's message on Twitter.

"Here is a message from EAM @DrSJaishankar, as we observe the Passport Seva Divas today. #TeamMEA reaffirms its commitment to provide passport and related services to citizens in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent and efficient manner," the ministry stated.

"We will soon be embarking on Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, including new and upgraded e-passports," Jaishankar said in his message on Passport Seva Kendra.

He further stated, "In line with the Prime Minister's vision of enhancing the 'Ease of Living' for citizens, these initiatives will usher in a new paradigm of 'EASE": E: Enhanced passport services to citizens, using a digital eco-system A: Artificial Intelligence-powered service delivery S: Smoother overseas travel using chip-enabled e-passports E: Enhanced data security."

Jaishankar in his message stated, "I would like to call on all our passport issuing authorities in India and abroad to join me in renewing our pledge to provide passport and related services to citizens in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent and efficient manner."

Jaishankar said it was a matter of pleasure to felicitate all passport-issuing authorities in India and abroad and their colleagues from the Central Passport Organization on the occasion of the Passport Seva Divas 2023.

He underscored that this day is an occasion to take stock of what has been achieved and to reaffirm India's resolve to strive to attain the highest standards in the delivery of passport services.