Overview
During a meeting in New Delhi on 11 February 2026, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, Member of Parliament from Mysuru, appealed to the Union Ministry of External Affairs to upgrade the existing Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) in Mysuru into a full‑fledged Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) equipped with Tatkal facilities. The demand stems from a sharp rise in passport applications from Mysuru and neighbouring Kodagu districts, driven by outbound education, IT employment, tourism and overseas job opportunities.
Key Developments
- Development 1: The MP submitted a memorandum urging the Ministry to convert the POPSK at Mysuru into a comprehensive PSK with Tatkal services, eliminating the need for applicants to travel to Bengaluru for urgent passports.
- Development 2: He proposed relocating the centre to the passport office premises at Ittigegud, centrally located in Mysuru, to better serve the growing demand.
- Development 3: A request was made for a mega passport camp (“passport mela”) in Kodagu district, as residents currently have to travel to Mysuru or Bengaluru for even routine services.
Important Facts
- Fact 1: Passport applications from Mysuru and Kodagu have risen sharply over the past year, reflecting the city’s emergence as one of Karnataka’s fastest‑growing urban centres.
- Fact 2: The existing POPSK lacks Tatkal facilities, compelling applicants with urgent travel needs to undertake a 150 km journey to Bengaluru, incurring additional time and cost.
Exam Relevance
This issue intersects with several UPSC syllabus areas: GS Paper II (Polity & Governance) – decentralisation of services and inter‑ministerial coordination; GS Paper III (Economy & Infrastructure) – service delivery, urban‑rural connectivity, and the role of public‑private partnerships in passport issuance; GS Paper IV (Ethics) – responsiveness of elected representatives to citizen needs; and optional subjects such as Geography (regional development) and Public Administration (administrative reforms). Potential questions may ask to evaluate the impact of upgrading passport services on regional mobility or to discuss the challenges of service delivery in fast‑growing cities.
Way Forward
Implementing a full‑scale PSK with Tatkal at Ittigegud would enhance accessibility, reduce migration pressure on Bengaluru, and support the aspirational mobility of youth from Mysuru‑Kodagu. Simultaneously, organising periodic passport camps in Kodagu can bridge the service gap for remote populations. A coordinated approach involving the Ministry of External Affairs, state government, and local administration is essential to ensure timely execution and to set a precedent for upgrading other POPSKs across the country.