NEW DELHI: Prepare for a groundbreaking shift in the passport application process for international travel, set to begin on August 5th. Applicants seeking a new passport will now experience a streamlined procedure by utilizing DigiLocker, a government platform designed for uploading necessary supporting documents. This online initiative is anticipated to reduce processing time significantly and enhance overall efficiency in passport applications.

Unveiling DigiLocker: Innovated by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, DigiLocker serves as a digital wallet service catering to secure storage and access of various government-issued documents. Among the array of documents that can be digitally stored are driver's licenses, vehicle registration certificates, academic mark sheets, and more.

Unlocking Aadhaar for Expedited Applications: The Ministry now permits the use of Aadhaar documents via DigiLocker for online submissions. This entitles users to store and access essential official documents such as education certificates, birth certificates, PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, passports, and voter ID cards. Such a seamless process further accelerates application procedures and bestows convenience upon all applicants.

Addressing Discrepancies: The decision to embrace DigiLocker emerged in response to discrepancies detected during physical document verification at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) across regions. By integrating DigiLocker, the government aims to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of submitted documents, mitigating issues like incorrect birth dates and personal details.

DigiLocker: How It Works To embrace the convenience of DigiLocker, applicants must create an account by providing a mobile number already linked to their Aadhaar. A one-time passcode (OTP) will be sent to the linked mobile number for completing the registration process. Any modifications to the DigiLocker account, such as updating mobile numbers or full names, require corresponding updates in their Aadhaar data.

Indian Passport Holders to Get Easier E-Visa for Russia from August 1