Govt to Launch Passport Seva Kendra in West Champaran to Boost Last-Mile Services

The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in its continued endeavour to enhance citizen-centric service delivery, is scheduled to inaugurate a Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) at Ram Nagar in West Champaran district, under the Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha constituency, functioning under the Regional Passport Office Patna, on 13 April 2026 at 11:30 AM at Prem Janani Sanskrit High School, Ram Nagar. The POPSK is scheduled to be inaugurated by the Honorable Member of Parliament, Valmiki Nagar, in the presence of Honorable MLAs of the relevant constituencies, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Regional Passport Office Patna, and India Post, along with other dignitaries.

2. The proposed POPSK at Ram Nagar is aimed at improving accessibility of passport-related services for residents of Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha constituency and adjoining areas, particularly those residing in remote and underserved regions of West Champaran district. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce the need for long-distance travel, thereby saving time and cost for applicants while ensuring greater convenience and ease of access to essential services.

3. The POPSK at Ram Nagar, the 454th in India and 38th in Bihar, to be located in the Sub Post Office premises, will provide passport facilities to citizens, enabling convenient, transparent, and efficient access to services closer to their residence. The centre will facilitate fresh passport applications, renewals, and issuance of Police Clearance Certificates (PCC). A total of 45 passport and 5 PCC appointment slots will be offered. Applicants will have to only come to POPSK once with their original documents for verification and their biometric capture. After this, they can expect their Passport by Speed Post around 5 days upon receipt of clear Police report and if no other discrepancies are found in their application.

4. The opening of this POPSK marks a significant milestone in expanding the passport service network in the State of Bihar. With this, passport offices will be operational in all 40 Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar, reflecting Government of India’s commitment to universal access and last-mile service delivery.

5. The Ministry has also undertaken several outreach initiatives to extend passport services to remote areas. Notably, Passport Seva Mobile Van camps, including one organized in Bagaha in West Champaran district have brought services closer to citizens. A total of 17 Passport Seva Mobile Van camps have been conducted in the State so far since 2024.

6. As per available data, passport service demand in West Champaran district has shown a significant upward trend over the past two years. In 2024, a total of 21,701 applications were received, including 1,382 female applicants (of which 1,330 passports were issued) and 20,319 male applicants (with 19,319 passports issued). In 2025, the total number of applications increased to 26,730, reflecting an overall growth of approximately 23.2%. This included 1,610 female applicants (of which 1,514 passports were issued) and 25,120 male applicants (with 23,313 passports issued). Female applications registered a growth of about 16.5%, while male applications saw a sharper increase of approximately 23.6%. Notably, three transgender applicants were also issued passports, reflecting inclusive service delivery.

7. The steady rise in applications also indicates increasing awareness, improved outreach efforts by RPO Patna, and growing mobility aspirations among residents of the district. Furthermore, in the past two years, West Champaran has consistently ranked among the top 10 districts in Bihar in terms of both passport applications received and passports issued, highlighting its growing importance in state-wide passport service demand.

8. The establishment of POPSK at Ram Nagar is expected to further strengthen the delivery of public services in a transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly manner, in line with the Government’s vision of ease of living and inclusive development.