Second phase of the Passport Seva Programme (PSP-V2.0)

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About PSP-V2.0-

• The PSP-V2.0 is a continuation and enhancement of PSP-V1.0, an e-Governance instrument, which introduced unprecedented transformation in delivery of passport related services to citizens.
• To augment and improve the delivery of passport services to Indian citizens, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had launched the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) in May 2010.
• The programme was recently also connected to more than 176 Indian missions through the Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP) to benefit the Indian diaspora.
• Under PSP-V2.0, the e-passports, which will have a microchip with secure biometric data, are set to be unveiled. 
• The e-passport chip usually has the holder’s biographical information that is printed on the document’s data page and a biometric identifier. 
• Such passports have digital security features to prevent unauthorized reading of data stored on the chip.
• TCS is expected to bring in technology for e-passports but the granting and printing of passports will remain with the government. 
• It will last nine-and-a-half years and see TCS deploy the latest technologies to ease services. 
• The e-passports will be compliant with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the Indian Security Press in Nashik and the National Informatics Centre (NIC) are involved in designing the security features.
• The key elements of PSP-V 2.0 are setting up of a state-of-art digital ecosystem, process overhauling and integration among various stakeholders and database, improving citizen interface, upgrading technology, adopting best practices and strengthening data security. 
• This phase further envisages creation of a new data center, a disaster recovery center and a Government Secure Repository linked to all Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSKs), passport offices and Indian missions abroad.
• An electronic file system for passport processing running across the passport issuance ecosystem and round-the-clock monitoring and supervision through a Network Operation Centre (NOC) and Security Operation Centre (SOC) will also be created.

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