New Delhi: A passport application can be made from anywhere in India, irrespective of place of residence, according to a scheme launched by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday.

Under the scheme, an individual can choose the regional passport office (RPO) and the passport seva kendra (PSK) or post office passport seva kendra (POPSK) for submitting an application.

The application can be submitted irrespective of whether the person's current residential address is within the jurisdiction of the selected RPO or not, a statement from the ministry of external affairs said.

The police verification, if required for a specific passport, would be conducted at the address specified in the application form, it added.

The passport will be printed and despatched by the RPO selected to the address specified in the application, the statement said.

For example, a resident of Jaipur staying in Calcutta for the time being, will be able to apply at the passport office in Calcutta, and will not have to travel all the way back to Jaipur to submit an application.

The citizen-centric initiative is expected to benefit applicants who are unable to apply at a passport office near their ordinary place of residence, the statement said.

Passport app

The minister also launched a mobile application, available on Android and iOS platforms, that would have the facilities for applying, paying and scheduling appointments for acquiring a passport.

With the launch of the "mPassport Seva App", access to a computer and printer would not be necessary to apply for a passport, the MEA said.

Swaraj said unnecessary requirements for a passport had been scrapped since she took charge of the ministry, including doing away with marriage certificates. PTI