Soon, apply for passport through smartphones

"Applicants can fill details on passport applications through mPassport Seva App. We are working on this and are hopeful it will be launched in next few months," Joint Secretary (Passport Seva Project) and Chief Passport Officer Muktesh Kumar Pardeshi told reporters.

The 'mPassport Seva' an android App, developed by the Ministry of External Affairs was earlier launched in March.

The App which can be downloaded at www.passportindia.gov.in, as of now is providing smart phone and tablet users with a variety of services including passport application status, tracking, locating the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and general information on various steps involved in obtaining a passport.

Speaking after inaugurating the passport office CCTV control room at Regional Passport Office at Secunderabad, Pardeshi said the Ministry of External Affairs is likely to issue over 85 lakh passports by the end of this year as compared to 74 lakh issued during last year.

"Between January to June 2013, 37 lakh passports were issued and by this year end. We hope to issue over 75 lakh passports through Passport Offices in India while another 11-12 lakh passports through missions/embassys abroad," he said.

The passport seva project has been declared as winner for e-India public choice award 2013 under government to citizen service category, he said.