A passport is not only a travel document, but it also carries a crucial value and significance. It serves as a vital proof of citizenship and identity which allowing you to travel across the Globe. It also helps us to apply for an International Driving License, International Road Permit, etc. and whenever we visit other countries or abroad, we need to have a SIM Card for the telephonic communication instantly after reaching, then the passport plays a vital role to get the same including check-in in Hotels and other places, The details of Passport and step-by-step process for applying an Indian Passport is mentioned in this blog article.
| Types of Indian Passport | Types of Application | Mode of Application |
Basically, four types of Indian Passports are there such as Ordinary Passport, Official Passport, Diplomatic Passport, and Orange Passport.
Here are more details on types of Passports:
- Ordinary Passport (Blue)- Blue passports issued to Indian citizens for general travel purpose like Holidays, Business or Higher Studies and it is the most commonly issued passport. It is also known as a “Type P” passport.
- Official Passport (White)– White passports issued to the individuals representing the Indian government on official duties like IAS/IPS Officers, etc. It is also known as a “Type S” passport.
- Diplomatic Passport (Maroon)– Maroon passports issued to Indian diplomats and high-ranking government officials. It is also known as a “Type D” passport.
- Orange Passport (ECR)– Orange passports issued to the individuals who have not completed their studies beyond the 10th standard or who have not passed the Class 10th examination. These passport holders come under ECR (Emigration Check Required) at immigration counters of airports.
Types of Passport Application:
- Fresh Passport: Fresh Passports are for the new applicants who are applying for the first time.
- Re-issue of Passport: Re-issue of Passport are for the Renewals of the old Passport.
Modes of Passport Application:
- Normal Mode: If you go with Normal Mode, you need to pay Rs. 1500 as application fees for 36 pages and Rs. 2000 for 60 pages booklet.
- Tatkal Mode: If you go with Tatkal Mode, you need to pay Rs. 3500 as application fees for 36 pages and Rs. 4000 for 60 pages booklet.
Note:
✔ While applying for Fresh Passport, please make sure you never held a Passport of the applied category (i.e. Ordinary Passport, Diplomatic Passport or Official Passport) in the past.
✔ In this blog article, you will get the Ordinary Passport (Blue) details and application process only.
✔ For all the others Passport Information, you can visit the official Passport Seva Website.
| Benefits of holding an Indian Passport |
- Proof of Identity and Citizenship.
- Proof of Permanent Resident of India.
- A passport holder can travel around the world for tourism, business or job and educational purposes.
- Having a passport can help to cross any international borders and enter any counties in the world with VISA or without VISA (in some cases) or VISA-on-Arrival basis.
- If any student is having his or her passport can avail International Internship programs in any Country.
- Some VISA free countries are like Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Serbia, etc.
| Eligibility Criteria for Indian Passport Application |
- Any Indian Citizen can apply for a Passport regardless of age.
- Minors (15-18 years of age) can apply for a minor Passport valid until he or she attains the 18 years of age or full validity passport of 10 years.
- Minors (below 18 years of age) can also apply for a Passport with special validity period restricted to five years or till they attain the age of 18, whichever is earlier.
- For Non-ECR (Emigration Check Not Required) category, the applicant should pass the HSLC Examination or above or should meet the other specified requirements.
| How to apply Indian Passport Online (Normal/Tatkaal) |
Basically, there are three ways to apply Indian Passport. Following are the steps, and ways the applicant should go through-
- The applicant can apply Passport online through Passport Seva Official Website.
- Indian Passport can be applied through nearest Common Service Centers (CSC) anywhere in India.
- The applicant can also visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO) directly for the offline application and form submission.
Note:
✔ Passport Seva Kendra (PSKs) are available in almost all the districts of India. Some of them are managed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) which are identified as PSK, and others are in Post Offices (POPSK).
✔ Regional Passport Office (RPOs) are available only in the capital of the states in India which are managed by the Ministery of External Affairs (MEA) of Government of India.
Indian Passport Online Application Step-by-Step Procedure-
First Step:
- Visit the Passport Seva Official Website Portal.
- Click on “New User Registration”.
- Click on Passport Office Option.
- Now select Passport Office as per Present Residential Address or select the desired office location from drop down list.
- Now fill all your personal details as per the instructions.
- Now choose your Login Id and Password.
- Login Id should be as your E-mail Id, or you can choose a new one if it has already existed and Password should be Alpha-Numeric with at least one special character.
- After filling all the details click on register.
Second Step:
- After New User Registration, you need to verify your E-mail address.
- Go to your E-mail and click on the mail received from Passport Admin and verify it with the Id & Password created earlier on the first step.
- Now you need to go to the Home page again of Passport Seva Portal and click on “Existing User Login”.
- Now select “Applying for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport” and choose Normal or Tatkaal mode and Booklet type as per requirement.
- Click on Next.
- Now complete the application form with accurate personal data and contact details including emergency contact information.
- After completing all the above-mentioned steps, cross check the filled application form very consciously from the beginning because once the form is submitted it cannot be undone.
- Click on Submit.
- Now upload clearly scanned file of Age (DOB) Proof and Proof of Address (POA) document, or you can fetch the documents from Digi Locker app also if available.
- After submitting the application form, click on the “Pay and Schedule Appointment” link.
- Now select again the desired Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) or Regional Passport Office (RPO) for the verification.
- Select an Appointment Slot as per your convenience from the dates which are available for booking.
- Now make the online payment through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking or UPI.
- After successful payment, an appointment confirmation screen will appear. Click on “Print Application Receipt” to obtain a soft copy with your Application Reference Number (ARN) and appointment details.
- Now take a print-out of the Application form and Appointment Receipt.
Third Step:
- After completing all the online process, now visit PSK/POPSK/RPO as per Appointment Date.
- Take all the original documents with you while visiting and a photocopy of each of the same which should be self-attested.
- After successful verification at PSK/POPSK/RPO, you will receive a confirmation message.
- Now you will be receiving your status of your passport application on e-mail and message step wise.
- After all these you will have to visit the area wise Police Station/Border Office/Superintendent of Police Office as and when they call for verification with all the required original documents.
- After the completion of Police Verification successfully, your passport will be dispatched to your residential address from Regional Passport Office which you can track on India Post website through the tracking id given by Passport Authority and contact the Post Office for the delivery.
| Important Links |
| Apply Passport Online | Click Here |
| Passport Seva Official Website | Click Here |
| Download Passport Offline Application Form | Click Here |
| Documents Required for Online Passport Apply | Click Here |
| Nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) Locator | Click Here |
| Passport Seva Kendra (PSK/POPSK) Locator | Click Here |