Passport Seva 2.0, e-Passports: S Jaishankar makes big announcements; here's what you should know
File photo: EAM S Jaishankar (Picture credit: ANI)
External affairs minister
S Jaishankar
on Tuesday announced the nationwide rollout of e-Passports and the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, calling it a major step in enhancing citizen services and boosting India's global mobility framework.
The announcement was made on the occasion of the 13th Passport Seva Divas.
'In line with the Government of India's commitment to deliver the next level of citizen-centric service, I am delighted to inform that we have rolled out PSP V2.0 across the country,' Jaishankar posted on X.
He said the upgraded system leverages advanced technologies to ensure greater efficiency, transparency, and ease of access.
The Minister highlighted that passport issuance has risen significantly from 91 lakh in 2014 to 1.46 crore in 2024, indicating a strong expansion in service delivery.
He also announced that the pilot of Global PSP V2.0 is underway and will soon be introduced across Indian missions abroad.
The launch of e-Passports was a key highlight, with Jaishankar stating that these contactless chip-based documents will allow faster and more secure immigration processing. 'The e-Passport initiative marks a significant shift in travel documentation,' he said.
The minister also spoke about the introduction of the mPassport Police App, which has helped reduce the police verification process to just 5–7 days in 25 States and Union Territories.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
The 15 Most Useless Cars To Ever Be Produced, Ranked In Order
Daily Sport X
Undo
To further improve outreach, 10 new Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) were added in the past year, including the 450th POPSK in Kushinagar in April 2025. Jaishankar said mobile passport vans have expanded access to passport services in remote regions.
These reforms, he noted, are aligned with the broader goals of Seva (service), Sushasan (good governance), and Garib Kalyan (welfare of the poor) — all crucial to building a Viksit Bharat (developed India).
'I take this opportunity to congratulate everyone at Passport Offices, Passport Seva Kendras, Post Office Passport Seva Kendras, and all partners of the Passport Seva Programme, including the Department of Posts, India Security Press, State Police, and service providers,' Jaishankar added.
Minister of state for external affairs Pabitra Margherita also attended the Passport Seva Divas celebrations and praised the programme's inclusivity and innovations like rainwater harvesting and TRIFED outlets at passport offices.
According to ANI, he reaffirmed MEA's commitment to timely and citizen-friendly passport services under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EAM Jaishankar.
The three-day Regional Passport Officers' Conference held alongside saw discussions on service innovation, grievance redressal, and capacity building to strengthen the passport delivery ecosystem.
Stay informed with the latest
business
news, updates on
bank holidays
and
public holidays
.
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Capricorn Monthly Predictions for July 2025: Embrace life's pauses as much as its pushes
July 2025 invites Capricorn to slow down, assess priorities, and nurture inner resilience. The month begins with some emotional ups and downs, as personal energy and confidence fluctuate. You might face unexpected challenges—delays, health concerns, or expenses—that make it harder to stick to your usual disciplined pace. Rather than fighting these tides, the stars urge you to be gentle with yourself and focus on regaining balance. Mid-month brings a sense of renewal. As planetary energy shifts, you'll experience greater support from elders, mentors, or family members. Spiritual pursuits or quiet reflection can restore clarity and optimism. New ideas or travel may open doors for personal growth, and your ability to strategize sets you apart. As July ends, work and financial matters take center stage. You'll find renewed confidence, and your careful planning brings solid results. There's a growing sense of stability, with opportunities to enhance your skills, finances, or family harmony. By month's end, Capricorn stands stronger—wiser, more secure, and ready to turn new plans into reality. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Love and Relationships : July brings both tenderness and learning in Capricorn's relationships. Early in the month, you might feel distant or preoccupied, making it harder to connect with loved ones. Don't hesitate to share your feelings; honest conversation will bridge gaps and dispel misunderstandings. If partnered, support each other through life's challenges. The middle of July is especially good for deepening your bond—spiritual activities, shared routines, or a heartfelt journey will strengthen your connection. Listen with patience and show appreciation for the small things your partner does. Singles may experience mood swings or self-doubt early in July, but social invitations or community involvement later in the month can spark new connections. Pay attention to friendships that feel grounding—these may blossom into something more with time. Family ties improve mid-to-late July. Elders or respected family members may offer wisdom, and your guidance will be sought by younger relatives. If there are issues at home, focus on practical solutions and open communication. Celebration or good news in the final week brings everyone closer. Education and Career: Capricorn's ambition is tested and ultimately rewarded this month. The first week may be slow, with distractions, delays, or fatigue. Don't be too hard on yourself—use this time for strategic thinking, research, or refining your plans rather than launching new projects. Mid-July brings opportunities for professional growth. Support from mentors, bosses, or influential contacts could pave the way for advancement. Take the initiative to show your skills, especially in collaborative or challenging situations. If you're considering upskilling, now is an excellent time to enroll in courses or seek further training. Students may struggle with motivation early on but find their stride by mid-month. Lean on teachers, friends, or study groups for support. Organize your time, set clear goals, and break tasks into manageable steps. By the final week, your persistence pays off. Quick progress is possible in your work or studies, with recognition from seniors or peers. Career moves, marketing strategies, or competitive exams are well-aspected if tackled with confidence and clear planning. Money and Finance: Financial matters fluctuate for Capricorn in July. The month starts with unexpected expenses—possibly related to health, home, or travel—that may temporarily strain your budget. Avoid large purchases or new investments during this period, and review your spending for unnecessary leaks. Mid-month sees improvement. Advice from experienced friends or family, or prudent investments, bring fresh inflow. Joint ventures or long-term plans related to property, education, or business can be explored—just avoid haste and get all the details in writing. The last week of July is particularly positive for earnings. You may receive a bonus, commission, or profit from a recent effort. If you're self-employed or run a business, creative marketing and strategic partnerships yield results now. Keep building your savings and avoid lending large sums to others. Careful planning and financial discipline ensure lasting security and peace of mind. Health and Well-being: Capricorn's well-being needs special attention this month. The first half of July may bring fatigue, minor illnesses, or emotional stress. Don't ignore signs from your body—rest, hydrate, and seek medical advice if symptoms persist. Avoid overcommitting yourself; saying no is sometimes the healthiest choice. Spiritual practices, light exercise, and connecting with nature will help restore your energy and positivity. If anxiety or low mood surfaces, talk to a trusted friend, family member, or counselor. By mid-to-late July, you'll notice improvements as routines stabilize and work or family pressures ease. Regular sleep, nourishing food, and balanced activity will help you regain your natural resilience. If you've been considering a new wellness routine or therapy, now is an excellent time to start. Important Days in July 2025: July 1-7: Low energy and expenses; rest, reflect, and avoid big commitments. Take pleasure in small, peaceful routines. July 8-14: Support from elders and mentors; travel or study plans favored. Positive time for spiritual growth and practical advice. July 15-21: Career and study progress accelerate; recognition is possible. Avoid impulsive financial moves. July 22-31: Financial gains and professional satisfaction; family harmony restored. Focus on self-care and setting new goals. Key Takeaways : July 2025 is a month of regrouping and quiet progress for Capricorn. Relationships grow through honesty, patience, and shared goals. Career and studies benefit from strategy, persistence, and mid-month opportunities. Finances require caution early, but steady planning leads to gains by month's end. Prioritize health and well-being; small changes create big improvements. Capricorn, embrace life's pauses as much as its pushes—by the end of July, you'll stand stronger and more self-assured, ready for new horizons. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
Economic Times
34 minutes ago
- Economic Times
A road less Chinese? India may find a strategic path through Kazakhstan
TIL Creatives AI generated image for representation purposes. As China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) continues to expand its influence over global trade infrastructure, India is exploring alternative pathways that reduce reliance on Beijing-led such emerging option is the Trans-Caspian Internationalindia-kazakhstan-middle-corridor-TITR-trade-route-alternative-to-china-briTransport Route (TITR), commonly known as the Middle Corridor, with Kazakhstan playing a central role in its has long objected to key BRI components, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which cut through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian government has consistently raised concerns over CPEC's implications for territorial sovereignty. Also Read: Kazakhstan, logistics hub of the Eurasia, rises on the world stage In 2024, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's position in an interview with ANI, 'On PoK, we are very consistent in our position. We want to tell you, the whole of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the union territories, they are part of India, an integral part of India. They were an integral part of India. They are an integral part of India and they will remain an integral part of India.' 'Our position on CPEC also is well known to you. We are not in favour of it. We are against it. It goes against our territorial integrity and sovereignty,' he added. But now, a quieter alternative is gaining traction, and it doesn't start in Beijing. It begins in Kazakhstan. According to The Economic Times, Kazakhstan is emerging as Eurasia's logistics pivot through the Middle Corridor. While India is not directly connected to this network, its rapid expansion presents a vital opportunity for New Delhi to reduce reliance on Chinese-dominated infrastructure and diversify its trade routes. The Middle Corridor spans over 4,250 km of rail and 500 km of seaway, connecting China, Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Europe, bypassing both Russian and Chinese per Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation, the corridor was born out of geopolitical necessity following Russia's 2014 Crimea annexation, when Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia sought to hedge against dependence on unstable or adversarial 2017, the launch of the 826-km Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway cemented the route's viability, allowing transit from China to Turkey in 12 days, and to Prague in Transport Ministry reported that in 2024, traffic on TITR surged by 62%, reaching 4.5 million tonnes. Container transport grew by 170% to 56,500 TEUs, with 35,600 TEUs moved along the China-Europe leg, 27 times more than the previous year. The 2025 target is 5.2 million tonnes and 70,000 these numbers are just one part of the story. TITR's real significance lies in the infrastructure push that's coming, data The Economic Times reported, Kazakhstan is investing massively in its logistics network. In 2025 alone, it plans to modernise 13,000 km of roads and 6,100 km of railways, expand six airports, and build new maritime terminals, including a container hub in Aktau with a capacity of 240,000 TEUs. By 2029, another 11,000 km of rail lines will be upgraded, and new corridors like 'North' and 'Sedmiddle' are in the Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking at the Foreign Investors' Council plenary on June 24 (as per Akorda, the official website of the Kazakh Presidency), described Kazakhstan's economic strategy as future-ready, sustainable, and globally integrated. The country reported a 6% GDP growth in the first half of 2025, driven by logistics, trade, and construction. This is the fastest in 12 an interview with Al Jazeera, Tokayev projected GDP growth of at least 5.5% for 2025, but added that this was 'not such an ambitious outcome,' as the government seeks additional growth India is not directly linked to the Middle Corridor, several geopolitical and economic factors could make TITR relevant to Indian per rating agency ICRA, India relies heavily on maritime trade via the Suez Canal, a route that has become vulnerable due to Red Sea instability and Houthi attacks.'The recent escalation of the conflict in the Red Sea has resulted in a 122% increase in freight cost in the past couple of months. As a result, the majority of global container shipping companies are deciding to avoid the Suez Canal and instead take the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope,' ICRA to the World Bank, 95% of India's foreign trade by volume and 67% by value is seaborne. The Suez route is crucial for trade with Europe, North Africa, and the Americas, regions accounting for over 35% of India's total foreign TITR offers a land-sea multimodal alternative that could ease maritime congestion, reduce freight costs, and benefit Indian exporters, particularly those targeting European markets. More importantly, TITR intersects with India's International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a 7,200-km network linking Mumbai to Europe via Iran and Russia. While TITR and INSTC are separate, they share geographic nodes in the Caspian Sea and Caucasus, especially Azerbaijan. This overlap allows for synergy: Indian goods could travel via INSTC and switch to TITR segments to access Central Asia, Turkey, and delays in INSTC, caused partly by sanctions on Iran and slow progress on the Chabahar-Zahedan railway, its relevance has only grown. According to ORF, INSTC, initially proposed in 2000, has been ratified by 13 countries and comprises road, rail, and sea Eastern Route, or KTI Corridor, runs through Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, connecting Russia's Finnish border to Iran's Bandar Abbas reports that Russia and Iran are now fast-tracking key INSTC links like the Rasht-Astara railway, expected to be completed by 2027. The convergence of INSTC and TITR could thus form a formidable trans-Eurasian grid, one that reduces India's reliance on China or the Suez objections to the BRI, especially CPEC, are rooted in sovereignty concerns. More broadly, New Delhi remains wary of BRI's debt-driven model and China's centralised control over participating stands apart. It is not dominated by any one country, and is increasingly backed by Western actors, including the EU, Turkey, and 2024, Kazakhstan hosted its first working group meeting with China on TITR freight movement. As per the Kazakh Ministry of Transport, both countries agreed to increase container traffic on the China-Europe route to 600 trains annually by 2025–26, and up to 3,000 trains by China remains a partner, the corridor's multinational nature limits any single country's own connectivity vision, such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is aligned with this trend. Despite recent Middle East tensions slowing IMEC's momentum, a senior MEA official during the 2023 G20 Summit said that the project remains a priority, reported The TITR, INSTC, and IMEC develop in tandem, they could collectively serve as a resilient alternative to the BRI, multiplying India's strategic choices and reducing its vulnerability to reform-driven model further strengthens the case for deeper India-Caspian ties. According to the country's state news agency, President Tokayev has introduced a 'prosecutorial filter' to protect foreign investors and launched a National Digital Investment Platform. So far, 137 projects worth $70 billion have been facilitated, and 140 legal amendments India, closer diplomatic and economic ties with Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia can help secure energy supplies, mineral access and geopolitical balance in a region of growing global need not formally join TITR to benefit from it. What matters is that Kazakhstan's logistics vision, and the Middle Corridor it anchors, adds redundancy to the global trade architecture. The more corridors exist, the less India and others would need to depend on those dominated by strategic rivals.
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sustained demand, infra revamp drive Mumbai property market to best-ever H1
Mumbai, the country's largest and most expensive property market, has recorded its strongest half-yearly performance ever led by sustained homebuyers' demand, lower home loan rates aided by the recent interest rate reduction, and the city's ongoing infrastructure and connectivity upgrade. The momentum has sustained despite steady growth in property prices and hike in ready reckoner (RR) rates from the beginning of the new financial year. The country's financial capital registered over 75,933 property deals in the first half of 2025, up 5% year-on-year, with the state exchequer fetching Rs 6,727 crore in stamp duty, a 15% rise and the strongest half-yearly performance on both counts, showed data from the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) and Controller of Stamps, Maharashtra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mechanics Say: Fix That Windshield Crack Before It's Too Late Nexa 'Mumbai's residential market continues to reflect steady buyer confidence, as monthly registrations consistently stay above the 11,000-mark year-on-year. What is particularly encouraging is that this sustained demand has led to the city's strongest half-yearly performance. While we have seen some cooling in the mid-price segments, the appetite for larger homes and properties priced above Rs 5 crore remains strong, driving healthy revenue collections,' Shishir Baijal, CMD, Knight Frank India. In June, property registrations and stamp duty collection touched over 11,521 deals and Rs 1,021 crore, respectively. Live Events 'The sales pattern underscores a structural shift in demand, particularly for larger, high-value exclusive homes, as buyers continue to prioritise long-term lifestyle, community living and location choices. This trend is being reinforced by the government's ongoing efforts to upgrade infrastructure across the Mumbai region. These developments are not only enhancing connectivity but also reshaping buyer perceptions of emerging micro-markets,' said Parthh K Mehta, CMD, Paradigm Realty. According to experts, the recent reduction in home loan rates following the Reserve Bank of India's decision to lower Repo rate by 50 basis points, taking the cumulative reduction to 100 basis points in the last six months, is expected to keep the housing sales robust. The government is currently undertaking several infrastructure projects in the region Including the metro network expansion, the coastal road project, or the improvement of arterial connectors and expressways. Apartments up to 1,000 sq ft continued to dominate Mumbai's residential registrations in June, accounting for 84% of all transactions, broadly stable compared to 83% a year ago. Within this, the 500–1,000 sq ft segment remained the most popular, inching up from 44% to 45%. The share of units up to 500 sq ft held steady at 39%. This underscores the enduring preference for compact homes, even as a niche segment of buyers continues to explore more spacious living options. The western and central suburbs continued to anchor Mumbai's residential market, together accounting for 88% of total registrations in June, up slightly from 86% a year ago. The western suburbs alone contributed 57%, while the central suburbs accounted for 31% share.
