Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 5: With an increasing number of Kannadigas, especially those from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, aspiring to go abroad, the regional passport office has been witnessing a surge in applications. In 2024, a record-breaking 8,83,755 passports were issued, the highest till date.

In 2023, 34,000 passports were issued, which was the highest at that time. This information was shared by Krishna K, the regional passport officer of Bengaluru.

Krishna further stated, “There are 23 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) in Karnataka. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of applications has increased significantly. We are receiving 700 to 800 applications daily from these POPSKs.”

He added, “International travel has regained momentum post-Covid, leading to a steady rise in passport demand. There has been a significant increase in the number of Indians traveling abroad for work, education, or tourism. In 2024, 4,88,509 passports were issued to men, 3,95,236 to women, and 10 to transgender individuals.”

Among those who obtained passports in 2024, one person was 100 years old, eight were between 96 and 99 years old, and 8,668 were in the 76-95 age group. The highest number of passports (3,88,453) was issued to individuals aged 16 to 35. Notably, February 2024 recorded the highest monthly issuance, with 78,416 passports.

Apart from passport issuance, the department also provides Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs), which are mandatory for employment in some countries. In 2024, 7,284 PCCs were issued for Kuwait, 2,712 for Australia, and several for Israel, which also requires PCCs.