Patna: Bihar has recorded a 66% increase in passport issuance over the past four years, with the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Patna, issuing 4,20,828 passports in 2025 compared with 2,52,910 in 2021, reflecting a sharp rise in demand for passport services across the state.The growth has been accompanied by a steady increase in applications. According to RPO data, passport applications rose from 2,74,758 in 2021 to 4,51,565 in 2025, registering growth of 64.3%. Officials attributed the trend to greater public awareness, improved access to services, enhanced outreach and growing confidence in the Passport Seva Programme of the ministry of external affairs.While application numbers remained relatively stable between 2022 and 2024, 2025 witnessed a significant jump. Applications increased by 13% over the previous year, while passport issuance rose by 11%. An RPO official said 2025 marked one of the office’s highest annual outputs and, if the trend continues, nearly five lakh applications could be processed in 2026.Passport service delivery has also expanded considerably. The inauguration of the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) at Ramnagar in West Champaran in Apr 2026 extended passport services to all 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar. The state now has 38 POPSKs and two Passport Seva Kendras located in Patna and Darbhanga.Regional Passport Officer Swadha Rizvi said the expansion had improved accessibility and convenience for applicants.“Marking an important milestone in the journey of the Passport Seva Programme, the 14th Passport Seva Divas will be celebrated on June 24 across Bihar at all 40 passport offices, including two PSKs and 38 POPSKs, as well as at the head office in Patna,” Swadha told TOI on Tuesday.She said Passport Seva Divas-2026 would be marked through outreach and staff engagement activities, highlighting the programme’s achievements in delivering accessible, efficient and citizen-centric services.
