As of mid-December, 9.6 crore Indians held passports, and the number is set to cross the 10-crore mark in the next few months. According to data from the ministry of external affairs (MEA), over 2.2 crore or nearly a quarter (23 percent) of the passports were issued in Kerala and Maharashtra. Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat and Karnataka are among the other big states with high numbers.
The Centre has been increasing the number of Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) across the country and easing the process to avail a passport. For instance, as per the MEA, it took an average of six days to issue a passport in 2022 as against 21 in 2015
At least 368 PSKs have been added between 2015 and 2022. Also, passports are issued at over 140 Indian missions abroad. In fact, one in 10 passports issued since 2014 has been at an Indian mission. With growing per-capita income, relaxed norms and increased education and job opportunities abroad, the number of Indians wanting to own passports has been increasing.
As of December 12 this year, over 1.1 crore passports have been issued, including 10.5 percent issued by Indian missions abroad. This is 36 percent more than the number of passports issued in 2021, and 81.5 percent more than in 2020, the two Covid-19 years. The number this year is close to the pre-Covid peak of about 1.2 crore in 2019 and 2017.
Passport holders per state:
Kerala and Maharashtra: Over one crore each
Tamil Nadu: 97 lakh
UP: 87.9 lakh
Punjab: More than 77 lakh
Gujarat: 67.6 lakh
Karnataka: 66.3 lakh
Andaman and Nicobar Islands: 4,316
Also Read: Organ Donations Pick Up In India
