Patna: The Regional Passport Office (RPO), Patna, under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, will observe Passport Seva Divas 2026 on June 24 with a series of public outreach, awareness and staff engagement initiatives across Bihar.
The celebration marks the 14th edition of Passport Seva Divas and will be organised across all 40 passport service centres in the state, including 2 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and 38 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs), covering all Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar.
Statewide Outreach and Citizen Engagement
Special programmes will be conducted at RPO Patna headquarters, PSK Patliputra and PSK Darbhanga, where selfie booths and interactive feedback zones will be set up to encourage citizen participation.
Applicants will also be provided commemorative Passport Seva Divas badges as part of the celebrations. Emoji-based feedback boards will be installed to gather real-time service experience from visitors.
Government’s Focus on Service Transformation
Speaking at the Regional Passport Officer’s Conference in New Delhi on June 19, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar highlighted the transformation of passport services into a technology-driven citizen-centric system.
He noted the expansion of passport service centres from 77 in 2014 to 544 at present, alongside the introduction of Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 and e-passports, describing it as part of the government’s broader focus on Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan.
Growth in Passport Services in Bihar
RPO Patna has recorded steady growth in demand for passport services over the past five years. Applications rose from 2,74,758 in 2021 to 4,51,565 in 2025, marking a 64.3 per cent increase.
During the same period, passport issuances increased from 2,52,910 to 4,20,828, reflecting a 66.4 per cent rise. Officials expect the office to process nearly five lakh applications in 2026, based on current trends.
The surge has been attributed to improved accessibility, digitalisation of services and increased public awareness across the state.
Expanded Network Across Bihar
With the inauguration of the POPSK at Ramnagar in West Champaran in April 2026, passport services are now available across all 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar.
The state currently operates through 2 PSKs in Patna and Darbhanga and 38 POPSKs, ensuring wider reach and improved access to citizens.
Digital Services and Faster Processing
Passport services are now fully digital, with applicants able to apply online, schedule appointments and complete verification at service centres.
Integration with DigiLocker has reduced paperwork, with applicants submitting documents digitally receiving priority processing at PSKs starting June 24, 2026.
Grievance Redressal and Public Outreach
RPO Patna has strengthened grievance redressal systems through helplines, online portals, social media platforms and public interaction programmes such as “Meet the RPO” and Passport Adalats.
The office also actively uses its social media handles to share updates, fraud awareness content and service information.
Special Drives and Mobile Camps
To address demand, special passport service drives and Saturday operations are conducted at selected centres.
Under the Passport Seva Mobile Van Camp initiative, 18 camps have been organised since April 2024 across institutions including AIIMS Patna, Nalanda University, IIM Bodh Gaya and Bhagalpur College of Engineering, processing over 2,500 applications.
Police Verification and Collaboration
The office has also worked with Bihar Police and the Department of Posts to improve verification timelines, which have been reduced to around 10 days.
Bihar Police has been recognised among the top-performing state forces for verification efficiency, receiving an award from the Ministry of External Affairs in 2025.
Public Service Model
Officials said the success of the passport system in Bihar reflects coordinated efforts between central and state agencies, including MEA, Bihar Police, postal services and technology partners.
The RPO Patna said the Passport Seva system continues to evolve through digital innovation and stakeholder collaboration to ensure faster, transparent and citizen-friendly services.
