Passport verification through DigiLocker from August 5. Here's why and how

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Also read: Travel to Russia becomes easier: Indian passport holders can avail e-visa facility from August 1 The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that if applicants use DigiLocker to upload their documents, they won't need to carry the original physical copies during the application process, as reported by government scheme info. This move is expected to streamline the processing time and enhance the efficiency of the passport application procedure.

DigiLocker is a digital wallet service provided by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It allows users to securely store and access various government-issued documents digitally, such as driver's licenses, vehicle registration certificates, academic mark sheets, and more.

The Ministry has now permitted the use of Aadhaar documents through DigiLocker for online application submissions. DigiLocker allows users to store and access important official documents like education certificates, birth certificates, PAN cards, Aadhaar cards, passports, and voter ID cards, making the process even faster and more convenient for applicants, reported by government scheme info.

This change has been implemented to expedite the application process and reduce the need for physical document verification at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) across different regions. The decision to utilise DigiLocker was taken in response to discrepancies found during physical document verification at PSKs, such as incorrect birth dates and personal details.

By implementing DigiLocker, the government aims to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the submitted documents. Also read: Passport Seva 2.0: Jaishankar announces new, upgraded