NEW DELHI, Aug 29: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that the Passport Seva portal will be temporarily shut down for technical maintenance from 20:00 hrs IST on August 29, 2024, to 06:00 hrs IST on September 2, 2024. During this period, citizens will not be able to schedule new passport appointments, and previously booked appointments will be rescheduled.
The shutdown affects all related authorities, including MEA, RPO, BOI, ISP, DoP, and Police Authorities. The ministry has assured the public that this is a routine procedure, and all necessary steps have been taken to minimize inconvenience.
Rescheduling of Appointments The ministry has stated that contingency plans are in place to reschedule appointments that were set for August 30, 2024. Applicants will be informed about the new dates and times for their appointments.
Impact on Applicants The Passport Seva portal is a crucial tool for booking appointments at passport centers across India. On the day of their appointment, applicants are required to visit these centers with their documents for verification, followed by a police verification process. The passport is then dispatched to the applicant’s address.
Applicants can choose between the regular mode, which takes 30-45 working days for passport issuance, and the Tatkaal mode, which offers expedited service within a few days.
Routine Maintenance A source from the ministry emphasized that this maintenance activity is a routine procedure and is planned well in advance to avoid any significant disruption to public services. The ministry is confident that rescheduling appointments will not be a challenge.
The ministry advises all applicants to check the Passport Seva portal for updates and to be patient during this temporary disruption in service.