Reports suggest that the disruption was due to a server problem, impacting operations at PSKs in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bhopal.
Users trying to access the portal or the official mobile app encountered multiple failures, and many found it difficult to reschedule cancelled appointments because of a lack of available slots.
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“Because of a server issue, all services at the PSK are non-functional,” one user commented on social media platform X. Applicants expressed concerns about the delay in communication, with some receiving cancellation notices while others learned about the malfunction only after arriving at the centre.
“The passport seva kendra posted a notice citing a technical issue that prevented processing requests. No SMS, email, or phone call was made to the applicants… people arrived only to find the gate locked and no one present,” another user from Ghaziabad reported on X.
Furthermore, those who attempted to reschedule appointments met with limited options, as many stated that the next available dates were weeks or months away, greatly impacting those with urgent travel needs.
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Despite escalating complaints on social media, the Ministry of External Affairs and the official Passport Seva handle did not release a statement regarding the outage until 3:30 pm IST on June 20. The absence of official communication from authorities faced criticism from those affected.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
