New Passport Rules: Create A DigiLocker For Passport Verification Process

The Indian Government has made it mandatory to create a DigiLocker account for passport verification process. This comes as a major change with regard to the passport application process for international travel.

Applicants will now have to use the government platform DigiLocker to apply for a new passport. One will also have to upload all documents using DigiLocker, after which applicants can apply online through the official website passportindia.gov.in.

According to the new rules, applicants will have to upload the mandated documents on DigiLocker before the online submission of passport applications.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that if the applicants use DigiLocker to upload their documents, they will no longer be required to carry hard copies of any documents during the application process. This will help in reducing the overall processing time, which is expected to increase the quality of the passport application process.

Simultaneously, Passport Seva Kendras and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK) have been implemented in various regions to reduce the need for physical document verification.

Digi Locker is a digital wallet service that has been launched by the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information. With this, users will be able to collect and keep all their essential documents, issued by the government, in a safe and secure manner. Users will also get to access it whenever and wherever required, like the driver's license, mark sheets, vehicle registration certificate, and other necessary documents.

To open a DigiLocker account, users will be required to register with their mobile number, which should have already been linked to Aadhaar. They will then be sent a one-time passcode (OTP) on their linked mobile number, which they will require to log in to the DigiLocker account. Further, one should bear in mind that if you want to make any changes in DigiLocker, you will have to make changes in Aadhaar.

The Ministry has now also allowed the use of Aadhaar documents via DigiLocker for online application submission. Any type of certificate, Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, and voter ID card can be kept safely on DigiLocker.

Well, this virtual locker has been introduced by the government to facilitate your application process as well as to keep your document safe. Since it can store any kind of document, you will get the freedom of not taking your important documents in hard copies.