The process of obtaining a passport has become easier with the use of DigiLocker, enabling the online verification of Aadhaar, PAN, and high school certificates. Rules regarding passports for children have also been revised; the validity is now set at five years or until the child attains the age of 18, whichever comes first.
Jagran Correspondent, Bareilly. If you are applying for a passport, keep your Aadhaar card, PAN card, and High School certificate in DigiLocker; this will facilitate online verification. Rules regarding passports for children have also been revised. A passport issued to a child under the age of 15 will remain valid for five years or until they turn 18, whichever comes first.
The fee for obtaining a passport was increased some time ago, yet there has been no decline in the number of applicants. Applicants in the general category are currently receiving appointments scheduled for 25 days later.
Among the changes introduced in the passport office’s system, the integration of DigiLocker is a key feature. Applicants are required to submit photocopies of their high school certificate, Aadhaar card, and PAN card along with their application; these documents undergo verification.
Typically, an applicant must visit the passport office with the original documents. However, if the applicant has stored these documents in DigiLocker, online verification can be performed, eliminating the need to present the originals.
Regarding the changes in the rules for issuing passports to children, there were previously no clear guidelines for issuing passports to children under the age of 15; the validity was determined at the level of the passport officer.
The maximum validity will be five years or until the holder attains the age of 18, whichever is earlier. If a passport is obtained at the age of 17, it will be issued upon payment of the adult fee and will have a validity of five years.
Between 18,000 and 20,000 applications for passports are being received daily. There had been a surge in the number of applicants prior to the fee hike on July 1st, resulting in appointment wait times of up to two months.
Offices even had to remain open on holidays to manage the load, but the situation has since normalized. Currently, regular applicants are securing appointments within 20 to 25 days, whereas those applying under the ‘Tatkaal’ (expedited) scheme are getting appointments for the very next day or the day after.
The passport application process has been simplified. DigiLocker has been integrated for the convenience of applicants, making the verification of documents easier. Rules regarding passports for children have also been amended. Passports should be kept safely; if a passport gets damaged before renewal, double the fee will have to be paid.
