External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday launched the mPassportSeva Mobile App, which allows the user to apply for a passport, pay and schedule appointments for passport services on mobile phones. On the occasion of the sixth Passport Seva Divas, Swaraj also announced a new scheme to permit people to apply for a passport from anywhere in the country, an official press release said.

The ministry said this “citizen-centric” initiative would help applicants who are unable to apply at a Passport Seva Kendra near their residence.

“With the launch of this new scheme, applicants can now choose the Regional Passport Office and thus the desired Passport Seva Kendra where they wish to submit their application, irrespective of whether the present residential address lies within the jurisdiction of the selected passport office,” the press release said. “The police verification, if required for a specific passport, would be conducted at the address specified in the application form.”