New Delhi, March 7: The External Affairs Ministry on Thursday opened the 500th Passport Kendra in Rajasthan's Pratapgarh district. The ministry, in collaboration with the Department of Posts, had taken the innovative initiative in 2017 to open Passport Kendras at the Head Post Offices and Post Offices in the country, to be known as 'Post Office Passport Seva Kendras' (POPSK), a statement said.

Under this landmark initiative, a total of 407 POPSK were made operational as on March 5, it said. In addition, there were 93 Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) operational as of Thursday. The 500th Passport Kendra was made operational at Pratapgarh in Rajasthan, the statement said. 2019 Most Powerful Passports List: Japan Tops the Position, India Ranks 79th in the Henley Passport Index.