Getting a Police Clearance Certificate for your passport application is set to become easier.
People can now apply online for Police Clearance Certificates at Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) starting from September 28.
A Police Clearance Certificate is issued to passport applicants by the local police stations as per their residential address.
It's a mandatory requirement to get a passport as the authorities need to verify the applicant's criminal records.
The certificate is also required when a person applies for employment, long-term visa, residential status or immigration to a foreign country.
Earlier, one could apply for a PPC online through the government's Passport Seva portal or at the Indian Embassy/High Commission office in case of those residing abroad.
Now, to facilitate the process of passport-related services, the government has allowed applications for PCC at all online Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK).
According to the External Affairs Ministry, the step has been taken to "address the unanticipated surge in demand for Police Clearance Certificates."
In a statement, the ministry said it would also improve the availability of PPC appointment slots at an earlier date. The facility will be available at all POPSKs from September 28.
"The action taken by the Ministry in extending this PCC application facility to POPSKs, would not only help Indian citizens seeking employment abroad but also meet the demand for other PCC requirements, such as in the case of education, long-term visa, emigration etc.," said the ministry in its statement.
Post Office Passport Seva Kendras, a joint initiative by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Posts, offer passport-related services to the citizens.
The initiative was launched to provide passport-related services at a wider scale to the citizens in smaller towns. Currently, 428 POPSKs are functioning across the country.
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