On the occasion of the Sixth Passport Seva Diwas on June 26, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the convenience of the Indian citizens announced a revamped version of 'mPassportSeva' app. This will enable the citizens to apply for their passports from any part of the country via the app. For e.g. if your hometown is in Kolkata and you are staying in Mumbai, you will be able to apply for a fresh passport or re-issue from Mumbai itself. Also other formalities like police verification will be done on the address given on the app, and the passport too will be dispatched to the address. These are some of the steps, which can help you to apply for passport from anywhere in India. 

Post the announcement of the launch of the new app by Sushma Swaraj, there is a lot of curiosity among the applicants. However, be careful when you donwload the app, as there are various fake apps in the same name. Don't fall prey to any of these because you will be feeding all personal information. According to a Times of India report, there are almost 15 such fake versions of the original app, when you type mPassport Seva on Google Play. Some of the fake versions are-Online Passport Services & Seva, Passport Seva Online, Passport Services E-seva, Passport Status Check, Indian Passport Status New and others.

Steps to Identify the original app

Steps to look out for in the original app (Photo credits: App screenshot)

  • The mPassportSeva app was first launched in 11th July 2013, and is available for free download on both Android and iOS. The app has been updated again on June 5 this year.

  • It has garnered over 1 million downloads on Android.

  • The app is offered by Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division

  • Developer email provided below is mpassportseva@passportindia.gov.inThrough the app, applicants can apply, pay and schedule appointments for passport services without accessing the regional passport office website. This app can further be used for tracking the status of their passport, details regarding fees, annexures, affidavits, locating centres, document advisor and much more.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2018 03:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).