Passports can now be applied from anywhere in India

On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj announced that anyone from anywhere in India can apply for a passport now. She also announced that applications can be submitted online through a phone.

Swaraj called it a 'passport revolution' and added, "I found that two things which were directly connected to the Indian citizens were a passport and visas required for undertaking Haj pilgrimage." While visas for Haj pilgrimage is handled by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, issuing passports belong to the external affairs.

The minister also announced an expansion of new passport centres in the northeast range of India.