Passport Seva portal restored early: Beware of fake websites, passport scams, and know how to reschedule passport appointment online

The Passport Seva Portal, which was temporarily down for technical repairs, has been restored earlier than anticipated. As of September 2, 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs issued an important update regarding the portal’s restoration and has also raised concerns about fraudulent websites that charge exorbitant fees for passport services. Here’s everything you need to know about the recent developments.

Passport Seva Portal restored

The official Passport Seva Portal, essential for citizens applying for Indian passports, faced a brief shutdown due to technical repairs. Initially expected to be down for an extended period, the portal was restored ahead of schedule, becoming operational on September 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM IST. The Ministry of External Affairs announced this early restoration, providing much-needed relief to thousands of applicants who were waiting to access the system.

This quick turnaround ensured that the services could resume earlier than planned, allowing both the authorities and applicants to process passport applications smoothly once again. The portal’s restoration was a priority, given the high demand for passport services in India.

Ministry of External Affairs public warning: Fraudulent websites and applications

In light of recent developments, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a warning about a growing number of fraudulent websites and mobile applications that are exploiting unsuspecting applicants. These fake platforms are charging exorbitant fees under the guise of providing passport-related services, such as filling out online forms or scheduling appointments.

According to the Ministry, these fraudulent platforms collect sensitive personal information and demand payments for services that are otherwise available for free or at a nominal fee through the official channels.

Some of the fake websites include:

• www.applypassport.org
• www.online-passportindia.com
• www.passportindiaportal.in
• www.passport-india.in
• www.passport-seva.in
• www.indiapassport.org

These sites often use domain names ending in .org or .in, giving them a misleading appearance of legitimacy. The Ministry strongly advises citizens to avoid using these websites for passport services.

Reschedule passport appointment online

Step 1: Access the official Passport Seva website and log in using your credentials.
Step 2: Navigate to the 'View Saved/Submitted Applications' section and select the 'Schedule Appointment' option.
Step 3: Choose between the two options available: 'Reschedule Appointment' to change the date or time, or 'Cancel Appointment' if necessary.
Step 4: Log in again on the Passport Seva Kendra website using your credentials.
Step 5: Select the 'View Saved/Submitted Applications' tab and choose 'Schedule Appointment for Application Submission'.
Step 6: On this page, you'll have two options: 'Reschedule Appointment' or 'Cancel Appointment'. You do not need to cancel in order to reschedule. Keep in mind, you are allowed only three cancellations or rescheduling attempts per year, starting from the date of your passport application. A pop-up will display how many attempts remain when you select an option.
Step 7: If you opt to reschedule, select a new time slot from the available options and click 'Book Appointment' to confirm your new appointment.
Step 8: You'll be redirected to a page with the updated appointment details. Click on 'Print Application Receipt' and bring it along to your appointment.

Key tips to avoid passport scams

In response to the surge of fraudulent websites, the Ministry of External Affairs has shared several key tips to help citizens avoid falling victim to scams:

• Always use the official Passport Seva website or app for any passport-related activity.
• Never pay fees on unofficial websites claiming to provide passport services.
• Be cautious of websites with domain names ending in .org or .in, as they could be fake.
• Check the URL carefully to ensure you are on the official website: www.passportindia.gov.in.
• Report fraudulent websites to the appropriate authorities if you come across them.

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