It's easier to get a passport now

New Delhi: Getting a passport is easier now. Starting October, the Government will open 68 new passport offices across the country.

Managed by private players, these offices will issue passports within three days of police verification.

Tatkaal passports and a change of address in existing passports will be made the same day. However, a change in name will take three days.

The Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) stamp on your passports will no longer be needed.

Announcing the decision, Union Minister and Cabinet spokesperson Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said the service providers, who would handle the front-end activities, would be allowed to levy a fee over and above the Government fee for each of the services rendered by them to enable them to recover the costs.