Online passport services being improved
It is good that TCS is improving the online services for passports - latest buzzwords like Analytics, e-passport (passport with chip), AI etc.
Instead of just looking at Technology, it would be good if they also take feedback from the citizens on what needs to be improved. Some of the improvements required:
- option for Tatkal or normal to be asked just before paying the fees and not before.
- Once the form is submitted and fees paid, intelligently, based on the details in the form, inform the citizen of the documents that need be carried to the passport office during the appointment (not through FAQ or general query)
- Earlier, there was an option where the applicant could select the time slot for the appointment. This seems to have been obseleted and the system auto generates the time after a few hours. In fact, this also has a problem. Before paying the fees, it asks for the date. The fees takes time to get reflected in the system. Later, an email is sent which asks the user to select the date. This is confusing.
So, reintroduce the option of selecting the date and time slot (after option of tatkal or normal, similar to railways), just before the payment of fees.
There may be more interesting usage improvements. more
Instead of just looking at Technology, it would be good if they also take feedback from the citizens on what needs to be improved. Some of the improvements required:
- option for Tatkal or normal to be asked just before paying the fees and not before.
- Once the form is submitted and fees paid, intelligently, based on the details in the form, inform the citizen of the documents that need be carried to the passport office during the appointment (not through FAQ or general query)
- Earlier, there was an option where the applicant could select the time slot for the appointment. This seems to have been obseleted and the system auto generates the time after a few hours. In fact, this also has a problem. Before paying the fees, it asks for the date. The fees takes time to get reflected in the system. Later, an email is sent which asks the user to select the date. This is confusing.
So, reintroduce the option of selecting the date and time slot (after option of tatkal or normal, similar to railways), just before the payment of fees.
There may be more interesting usage improvements. more
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The police came for verification yesterday. We had to rush back, since we were about 15 kms away from our home. The police again wanted 2 copies of passport size photograph, copies of aadhar and old passport. Luckily, we had these. And he also took our photographs and wanted to know if we had criminal cases against us (which criminal will say yes to this??). This information is anyway given in the application form. This process is a total waste, especially for renewal with no changes (other than age). As some suggested, use technology to do this. more
Mar 06
And why load the police with verification. As it is they are overloaded. Skip this step, unless there are some doubts about the credentials of the applicant. more
Mar 05
AI could be used by TCS to do majority of verification data analysis. more
Mar 05
We got our passports (renewal) delivered in 2 days. However, the process needs to be improved: (At the seva kendra, Lalbagh, Bangalore) - more than 50+ appointments are given for a 15 min slot resulting in crowding at the gates and long queues. Reduce the number. - we had uploaded our Aadhaar and old passport. Still, they ask for a photocopy. Why? - They print the application in counter A. What is the need for this when the application is filled online? - The display showing the counter number for token numbers is not easily visible. More such displays at visible points are required. - only counters A are not crowded. Counters B and C, needs to have a proper queue and display system. - After exiting, we got about 20 sms regarding the status. Not required. - sms says that police verification initiated. Police calls and says he would come. Until now he has not come. But, passport was delivered even before the initiation of police verification. Looks like a process loophole. No clarity on whether police verification is there or not. more
Mar 05
Police verification must be done away with as every document is submitted with online application. I am of the view that police verification is sought whether the applicant has any criminal record or not which can be identified with the interface of portals of passport issuing authority and the local police department. By this process, corruption and undue delay can be eliminated. more
Mar 05
Besides corruption, humiliation at the police station can be eradicated as in cases, police department does not treat the applicants with due respect and look at them as criminals. more
Mar 05
I feel bad to see the reviews where police verification was painful. My own experience is to the contrary. Thursday morning around 11 am I filled up the form and paid the fee. Got appointment for 9 am. The whole process got finished in 60 mts (we had to wait for the Government passport officer though). The policeman came on Friday around 9.30 with a tablet, took a photo and checked the Aadhaar card and left immediately. The passport was delivered on Monday. It was such a pleasant experience. Hope this will be replicated everywhere. This happened in 2019. more
Feb 28
