Teenagers have a lot on the go. They must eat well, not only to perform their best but have the right nutrition to fuel their physical growth. Whether it’s in the classroom or sports ground, kids in their teens need well-balanced meals and snacks, with high protein content, so that they can keep their energy levels up throughout the day.

With a high protein diet, teenagers receive the appropriate amount of nutrients and essential building blocks needed to build their muscle strength and overall immunity. Here’s why diets for teens must have a high protein content:

Why Is Protein Important for Teenagers?

Protein is a slow-digesting nutrient, which is needed for the repair and growth of muscles and tissues. At the same time, protein is also essential for the production of enzymes and hormones. During teenage, children experience rapid changes in their physical development. Popular diet plans for teens, thus include a combination of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats, and minerals.

While vitamins and minerals are vital for the overall development of children, it the proteins, carbs, and fats that act as energy sources for the body. That being said, your teenage child can obtain minerals and vitamins from the same foods that supply carbohydrates, fats and protein.

Strike a Balance While Going for a High Protein Diet for Teenagers

While protein is a crucial component for building new muscles, teenagers must consume the right amount of protein to ensure optimal physical growth. In case your teenage child consumes more protein than what their body needs, the surplus may cause inadvertent storage of excess calories in the form of body fat.

On the other hand, too little a protein in the diet may result in breakdown and loss of muscle mass because your teen child’s body may then have to look for alternate sources in itself. When diets for teens include protein-rich foods with simple carbs and vegetables, their body would not use protein (or muscle mass) but will spare it to fuel your growth and muscle repair whenever needed.

Is your soon-to-be-worn wedding dress still a tad bit tight? Have you received a last-minute invitation for a beach getaway but don’t want anyone to see that extra flab around your midriff?

Your diet is perhaps the most significant factor behind all the excess body fat that you have always carried around. Thus, you must make changes to your diet if you wish to lose weight. It is crucial that you choose the right diet plan, which is most suitable, sustainable, and effective. Some diet plans are designed to curb your appetite by reducing your dietary intake, while others suggest limiting your calorie intake and either carbs or fat. Here are ten diet plans that are likely to help you lose significant weight within a year:

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is a way of cycling between fasting and eating periods. It is essentially an eating pattern that includes both eating and fasting phases. In this diet plan, you eat dinner as early as 7 pm and then eat the next meal after a gap of 10, 12, or 14 hours, whichever suits you. Another way to schedule intermittent fasting diets is, to use a 16/8 method, that allows you to eat for 8 hours a day and you need to fast for the rest 16 hours. This will provide energy to your body to go through the day and not feel starved during the fasting phase. This diet plan helps in losing weight and improving health.

Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet (or keto diet, for short) is a low-carb, high-fat diet that offers many health benefits. This diet plan involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and replacing it with fat. This calorie deficit puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, which makes your body incredibly efficient at burning fat for energy. It also causes a massive reduction in blood sugar and insulin levels.This, along with the increased ketones, has numerous health benefits.

Low Carb Diet

A low-carb diet is a diet that reduces carbohydrates, like those found in processed foods, pasta, and bread. It is rich in vegetables that are protein, fat and nutritious. In this, your carb intake is cut down to 20-150 grams per day. Typically, a low-carb diet is used to lose weight. There are a few low carb diets, that reduce the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, beyond weight loss.

Paleo Diet

The paleo diet promotes whole foods, protein, vegetables, berries, nuts, and seeds while at the same time discouraging processed foods, sugar, dairy, and grains. Some more flexible versions of the paleo diet also allow dairy products such as cheese and butter and tubers such as potatoes and sweet potatoes. The diet plan is effective in reducing heart disease risk factors such as cholesterol, blood sugar, blood triglycerides, and blood pressure.

Mediterranean Diet

Mediterranean diet does not make you leap through impossible hoops or push you to the point of suffering. The diet is based on foods that were eaten by people in countries such as Italy and Greece. It focuses on incorporating bold flavours and pleasures of the table. The diet is a balanced eating pattern incorporating vegetables; fruit; whole grains; lean proteins, fish, and olive oil.

The recent Coronavirus pandemic has us all locked inside our homes. While it is a sad truth that, we cannot go for a run out or hit the gym for a cardio workout, this can be an opportunity to discover ways to make our bodies and mind more self-reliant.

Ancient Indian scriptures mention that, our physical movements need to be coordinated to connect our body to the mind and soul, so that, with each step, our Being aligns with the Universe.

An important exercise is the Plank pose- a simple, isometric exercise which engages major muscle groups of the body in a single pose. This one exercise can work wonders, literally, from head to toe and help build strength and stability in the body- 60 seconds at a time.

What is a Plank ?

Simply put, the plank is a 2- step position :

(i)Getting into the Plank pose:

Lie on your stomach and gently lift your torso on your elbows and toes while keeping your back straight. Your body should be in a straight line from neck to heels. Do not exert force to move up or down but simply hold the pose by tightening your core muscles.

Now comes the hard part !.

(ii) Hold the Plank pose:

Once you are in plank, engage and hold as follows :

• Squeeze your belly button (abdominal muscles) towards your spine while keeping your back straight.
• Then squeeze your thigh muscles (quadriceps) and buttocks (gluteal muscles) as much as possible.
• Pull back your shoulders from your ears, keep your neck straight and breathe.

Hold this position for 60 seconds. For beginners, start with a few seconds and gradually progress to 60 seconds. Switch from elbow to forearm plank in order to hold the pose for longer. You will definitely feel a burn in your muscles and some shaking or quivering in the body. That just means you are burning calories !

Why should I do the Plank pose ?

Exercise is not always fun. Even a 10 minute workout can seem daunting to many of us, leading sedentary lifestyles, requiring habits like sitting slumped in a chair for hours at end, even when we work from home. We always think about working towards a healthier routine with a regular exercise schedule but somehow, it never happens because of lack of time, resources, motivation or all of them clubbed together !

Moreover, exercising in a gym or running in a public park can be scary for us introverts! We want a good body but we don't want to interact with other, sweaty people - *shivers in horror*

You can literally Plonk in a Plank anywhere! It can be the bedroom floor or out in the sun in your balcony or garden (AVOID BATHROOMS- Caution ! Wet, Slippery Floor ! ). A 60 second Plank done a couple of times a day can give you a great core exercise. Add some basic stretches to have body movement restored even when you don't move around a lot.

The Plank pose is a Bodyweight exercise, i.e. you only use your own weight to enhance your bio motor skills like endurance, speed, flexibility and balance. There is no need for equipment of any kind and people of all ages, who are capable, can get into a plank as part of their exercise. You can use the Plank like a starting point of a marathon and gradually incorporate more exercise in order to build your own, personalized exercise routine.

What are the benefits of a Plank Pose ?

A strong core is much more than six-pack abs. We use our core muscles unconsciously for several actions in a day ranging from bending and lifting weight, for balance and even to managing our breathing. A weakened core can cause serious injury if ignored. The plank position helps target the core muscles and give them a good burn to build muscle strength.

The core muscles groups engaged in a plank are the following :

Transverse abdominis:

These are abdominal wall muscles responsible for stabilising the lumbar spine and pelvis before movement of limbs (raising your arms, bending forwards etc. ). Building this muscle increases our strength to lift heavy weights.

Rectus abdominis:

This is the muscle which gives you your six pack ! Working this long strap muscle can help improve high jumps and kicks.

Oblique Muscles:

Gluteal Muscles or Glutes:

This is the strongest muscle of the body and is responsible for the movement of hip and thigh. It is connected to the tailbone and maintains the shape of your back and buttocks.

A driving licence is mandatory for anyone who wants to drive a motorised two-wheeler or four-wheeler on public roads in India. Before one gets a permanent driving licence, one has to get a learner’s licence. A month after the learner’s licence is issued, one has to appear for a test at the RTO, and a permanent driver’s licence is given on passing this test. After getting your driving licence make sure you get your bike insurance as it safeguards you from any mishaps.

What is a driving licence?

According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, no individual without a driving licence is authorised to drive a motor vehicle on a public road in India. Therefore, a driving licence is an authorisation issued by the government of India permitting an individual to drive a motor vehicle such as a car, motorbike, truck, etc. without supervision on Indian roads. RTO or Regional Transport Office is the issuing authority for such licences in India.

Types of driving licence

The type of driving licence you need depends on the type of vehicle you would be driving. Remember that the eligibility for each vehicle type would be unique. The different vehicle types for which you can apply for a driving licence include:

• Motorcycles with engine capacity of 50cc or less
• Motorcycles with gear, motorcycles with an engine capacity of over 50cc, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) including cars
• All Motorcycles types including Motorcycle with gear
• Motorcycles of any cc but with no gears - including scooters and mopeds
• Light Motor Vehicle for non-transport purposes
• Light Motor Vehicle intended for commercial purposes
• Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle (also referred to as All India driving permit for trucks and cars or open licence)
• Heavy Goods Motor Vehicle
• Candidates holding a heavy vehicle driving licence can also apply for heavy trailer licence

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for applying for a driving licence varies with the class of vehicle and the type of driving licence you wish to apply for. Summarized below are the criteria for the common licence types:

Documents required for a driving licence

The documents required to apply for a driving licence include:

Proof of age, which could be any of the below:

• Birth certificate
• PAN card
• Passport
• Class X marksheet
• Transfer certificate from a school that has the date of birth printed on it.

Proof of address, which could be any of the below:

• Passport
• Aadhaar card
• Self-owned house agreement
• Utility bill such as electricity bill
• LIC bond
• Voter’s ID
• Ration card
• Rental agreement

Other application requirements

• Duly filled application form. The form can be downloaded from the RTO website or collected from the RTO near you.
• 6 passport sized photographs when applying for learner’s licence
• 1 passport sized photographs when applying for permanent licence
• Application fees
• If current address is different from permanent address, rental agreement with a recent utility bill like gas or electricity bill
• If the applicant is over 40 years of age, medical certificate in the form of Form 1A and Form 1 issued by a government doctor

Application process

The application process for a driving licence is fairly straightforward and you need not depend on agents for the same. Visit the Sarathi website hosted by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry. Under the “Sarathi Services” tab, select “New Driving Licence”. This will redirect you to a new web page with all the details about the application process. Make sure that you read through the instructions to avoid any confusion at later stages. Download the driving licence online form from here and fill up all the required information.

Apply for driving licence online

You can apply for a driving licence either online through Sarathi website or offline at an RTO. The process for online application is as follows:

• Go to the Sarathi website and download the application form as described above
• Fill up the form as per the instructions provided at the website, and click on the “Submit” button
• In case the applicant is a minor, the form should be printed out and Part D be signed by the parent/guardian and submitted at the RTO.
• Scan and upload the supporting documents required, like the proof of age, address and learner’s licence if applicable.
• Note down the web application number generated on form submission. This can be used to track the status of the application, if needed.
• Once the application is processes, an SMS would be sent out on the registered number notifying you of the same.
• You can then block a slot for driving test and appear for the same at the appropriate venue.

Apply for driving licence offline

The process for applying for driving licence through an RTO is as follows:

• Visit the nearest RTO to obtain Form 4 which is the application form for motor vehicle driving licence in India. You can also download the same from the state-specific RTO website.
• Submit the duly filled form along with the proof of age and address at the RTO for the state/ union territory you live in. At this time, you should also book a slot for the driving rest and pay the applicable test fee.
• Reach the test venue on time, and the licence will be awarded on the spot on clearing the test.
• If you are taking lessons at a driving school, they would also assist you in the application process.

The driving licence test

To get a driving licence, you will have to prove your driving skills and the knowledge of road rules and signs in a test conducted by the RTO after your application for driving licence is accepted. Here are a few key aspects of the test to keep in mind:

• You should apply for a permanent driving licence within 180 days of the issue of learner’s licence. You have to wait for a minimum of 30 days from the issue of learner’s licence to take the test for the permanent licence.
• Once you reach the test venue, you will have to submit the relevant documents including driving licence test slot booking slip if the slot was booked online. If you haven’t paid the test fee yet, you will require to pay it now.
• Remember to reach the venue at least an hour before the scheduled test time.
• You will be allotted a test track on reaching the venue. The test has to be taken in the presence of a Motor Vehicle Inspector at the track.
• The test procedure varies based on the state regulations.
• For two-wheelers, the rider has to drive a track shaped like the numeral 8 without her legs touching the ground.
• For four-wheelers, the MVI would monitor the ride across a complex track.
• Remember, that the motor vehicle inspector would also test you on your ability to use the indicators correctly. The ability to shift gears smoothly and the use of rear-view/side-view mirrors may also be tested.

How long does it take to get a driving licence?

The process for getting a driving licence starts with submitting the application for a learner’s licence.

• Before a learner’s licence is issued, you will have to appear for a test at the RTO.
• This test consists of multiple-choice questions quizzing you about traffic rules, signs and signals. You can find sample questions on the RTO website.
• On successful completion on the test, you can immediately collect the learner’s licence.
• You will have to wait for a month before taking your driving test for a permanent driving licence.
• The details of this test have been provided above, on passing this test you are provided the driving licence on the spot.

Steps to follow in case you lose your licence

Remember that you are not allowed to drive on public roads in India without a driving licence. Therefore, if you lose your licence you should not drive till you have arranged for a duplicate licence. The steps to apply for a duplicate licence are as follows:

• Lodge a complaint at the nearest police station about the missing DL, and get a copy of the FIR
• File an affidavit stating that you have lost the DL at a notary office.
• Apply for the duplicate licence along with the copy of both the FIR and the affidavit at the RTO. You can do this both offline or online. You will also have to pay the fees for duplicate licence at this point.
• Once the application is processed the licence will be couriered to your address.

Every driver of a vehicle must hold a valid license to drive a vehicle in India. The license is issued by the Regional Transport Authority Office. Driving without a license is among the major traffic violations.

How To Obtain A Driving License?

Anyone interested to acquire a driving license must enrol in a driving training establishment and take lessons from an authorized trainer in a vehicle of his choice. In order to train as a driver, you must get a Learner’s License from the Regional Transport Office before commencing with your lessons.

After completing the driving training course, you will be required to appear for a test, before the officer of the Regional Transport Office. This test includes both practical and theoretical aspects which the prospective must be able clear.

The practical test is the actual test of driving that the candidate needs to undertake. The theoretical test is the test of your knowledge of the traffic rules and traffic signs on the road. Once you pass these tests you will get a driving license from the Regional Transport Office.

Different Types Of Driving Licenses

There are different categories of driving licenses which are based on the different types and categories of vehicles. Trucks, cars and two-wheelers etc. have different types of licenses.

Period Of Validity

A driving license is issued for a definite period. For cars, etc. the validity of the license will be for 20 years with a grace period of 30 days for renewal. For commercial vehicles, the validity of the license will be for 3 years only.

The holder of any driving license will have to renew the license before the expiry date to be able to keep on driving on the Indian roads.

Drive Only If You Have A Valid License

Once you hold a valid license through the procedure stated above, you are ready to drive the vehicle of your choice on any Indian road.

Many Do Not Follow This Procedure

There are many who do not follow this procedure but learn driving from a relative or driver by using their family car or two-wheeler. Many learning driving in this way often never bother to acquire a learner’s license which by itself is an offence too.

Driving A Vehicle Without A License Is Illegal

Driving a vehicle without a license in India is a gross traffic violation. This traffic violation will immediately attract a fine for driving without license. Anyone driving with a license that has expired is also indulging in an illegal act.

Now no more sweating in long queues and no more crying for getting out of your comfort zone to renew your driving licence. Bringing the driving licence renewal online has put a lot of people out of their misery, especially the ones who kind of have an enormous appetite for the comforts of home. This initiative to bring the driving licence renewal online was taken by the transport department of India to make this procedure to renew your driving licence a lot less cumbersome. Driving licence renewal online is also a significant step forward towards transforming India into a digitalised one. No matter where you are, whether in your office with a lot of work piled up, or at a restaurant having dinner with your family, it will just take a few minutes of your time to apply for driving licence renewal online. Also have car insurance with you as it protects you from financial losses. You are going to come across some steps and procedures in this article later, which is going to make your online experience even smoother. So buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Why renew my driving licence?

Well, the answer to this is already in your driving licence. Your driving licence comes with an expiration date. The validity of a driving licence is 20 years which is why most of the people don't keep track of when to schedule their next appointment for driving licence renewal. It is only in the nick of time that they realise they should have done the driving licence renewal sooner. According to the Motor Vehicles Act implemented in 1988, it is a must to have a valid driving licence for every motor vehicle rider. Driving licence is an official document issued by the Indian government that certifies an individual to drive on Indian roads. The driving licence confirms that the individual is aware of all the traffic rules and knows how to drive the vehicle that he or she has a driving licence for. Not having a valid driving licence might lead to hefty fines or even imprisonment in some cases. You get 30 days, post the date of expiration to renew your driving licence without any penalty levied on it. You can apply for the driving licence renewal after the 30-day mark, but this time, it comes with a fine. If you fail to renew your driving licence in the next five years post the expiry date, you have to apply for a new driving licence and go through the driving test again that you went through the first time to get your driving licence. Fill the licence renewal form online in no time, using your phone or laptop or any other digital gizmo you possess at the moment and most importantly, from the comfort of your home. All that you have to do is to go to the driving licence renewal online portal, fill a licence renewal form, upload some documents for verification, and your job is done. Just sit back, relax and wait for your renewed driving licence to arrive at your doorstep.

Rising need to bring the system online

The traditional offline procedure to renew your driving licence is quite hectic. You have to make at least two visits to your nearest RTO (Regional Transport Office) to get your driving licence . It might not be convenient for most people, especially those who live in big cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi etc. because of the amount of traffic they get to see daily. The first visit that you have to make would be to get a hold of the licence renewal form required to get your driving licence. The second one would be for the fee payments and to get your documents verified. If there is something wrong with the papers, you might even have to go for a third visit. If everything goes right, you can get your driving licence smart card in a couple of days, or you might take up to 30 days to get it via post. Besides that, if you have ever been inside an RTO, you might be familiar with the struggles inside. Standing in long queues for hours, the involvement of third-party agents and a lot more. In most of the RTOs, you can find third party agents taking kickbacks to get your driving licence quicker than others. Most of the times, people fall for it because they don't want to go through the trouble of standing in a queue for hours and waiting for their turn to come to get their driving licence. This raises the scope of corruption which no one wants in the system. Since most folks are quite busy with their work on weekdays, they would prefer going on weekends instead, to renew their driving licence, giving away a good chunk of quality time, that they could have spent with their family, or doing other stuff they can not do on workdays. So, all these reasons make it quite evident, why it was high time to bring the driving licence renewal online.

The modern procedure for modern people

Now coming to how you can renew your driving licence online. There is no rocket science in applying for the driving licence renewal online. There are a few simple steps which, if followed, would leave no ambiguity in the online process of getting your driving licence. Well, the first thing that you have to do is to be ready with all the necessary documents needed to apply to get your driving licence which includes

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO RENEW YOUR DRIVING licence:-

FOR PRIVATE DRIVING LICENCE

1. Download form no.9 from your state's transport department portal.

2. Two copies of your recent passport size photograph need to be provided.

3. Original Driving licence possessed by the individual whose driving licence needs to be renewed.

4. Self-Attested copies of Valid Proof of age and residence need to be submitted.

5. Form No.1 self-declaration of physical fitness.

6. Prescribed fee need to be paid.

7. Valid Medical Certificate in form No.1 A needs to be provided in case the applicant is above 40 years old.

It is essential to carry a driving license while driving a vehicle. It is considered to be a legal offence to drive a vehicle without a driving license in India. It is needed to have a driving license for all types of transport vehicles as well as commercial vehicles. Any individual above the age of 18 years could apply for getting a driving license.

Once an individual applies for a driving license, the time of waiting begins. Everyone becomes eager to know the driving license status. The process of getting a copy of the license is very time-consuming due to which it becomes essential to check the status.

There are two ways to check the driving license status for any individual. The two methods are listed below.

• Go to the RTO Office enquiry window
• Check online on Sarthi website

The technology advancement has helped a lot to make it easier for checking the driving license status. Some people still prefer the traditional way of going to the RTO office and ask for the driving license status at the enquiry window. For other people who want to perform this check while sitting at home, here is a guide.

Check the driving license status online

An individual does not know the driving license status until it reaches the registered address. The applicant has no idea whether the application is accepted or rejected. Here are the steps mentioned for checking the driving license status online.

Steps for checking driving license status online

Every individual who has applied for a new driving license or submitted an application for renewal of a driving license wants to know the status of it. It takes approximately one month for the authorities to process the application and then deliver the license to the registered address through post. When you are stuck in such a situation, and want to know the driving license status, follow the below steps.

• When you come to the home page, you have to select the state in which the driving license has been applied.
• After you have selected the state, you are redirected to a page where you will find a number of options.
• You can find the column on the left side of the page. In that column, you will see an option "Driving License." That option can be expanded, and after expanding, click on the "apply online" tab.
• When you click on "apply online," you will again see some options. Now you have to choose "Application status" among them.
• You will have to fill your application number and date of birth now.
• Once you fill the details and click on submit, you will find the driving license status on your screen.

Driving on their own is a dream that all teenagers share. The freedom and the sense of independence that comes from it are unmatched. Before one can experience the same, one needs to earn a driving licence by acing the driving licence test. The test involves both a practical and a written component. The written component consisting of multiple-choice questions lets one get a learner's licence, and then a practical test conducted at least a month after the issue of the learner's licence, lets the individual receive the permanent driving licence.

What is a driving licence?

A driving licence acts as an authorization provided by the government of India permitting one to drive a vehicle of a given category on public roads in India. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 mandates that no one without such a licence be allowed to drive on Indian roads. It is important to remember that the driving licence for one category does not entitle you to drive vehicles of another category. For example, a driving licence for a private light motor vehicle (car) cannot be used to drive a bike.

As stated earlier, there are two kinds of driving licences issued in India: a learner’s licence and a permanent licence. The first is a temporary document with a validity of six months. A permanent licence can only be obtained after a month has elapsed from the issue of the learner’s licence.

Before the permanent licence is issued, you will have to prove your driving skills in a driver’s licence test conducted by the Regional Transportation Office. You can book a time slot for this test through a form online or by visiting an RTO with the required documents. When you log in to the website, you will be able to see the open slots. Pick one that suits your schedule and visit the RTO at the designated time for the test.

The test is conducted by an inspector at the RTO. The candidate is required to drive through a driving track designed by the RTO. Not only your driving skills but your ability to follow the road rules and signs will also be tested.

Procedure for driving licence test

• Use the form CMV 4 to apply for a driving licence test. You can get it either from the inquiry counter at an RTO or download it from the RTO website. You will have to also submit three passport size photographs along with the form.
• You will need the following to establish your eligibility for the test:
  • A valid learner’s licence
  • All the documents related to the vehicle which you propose to drive for the test. This includes:
    • Registration Certificate
    • Certificate of Insurance
    • Tax Card
    • Pollution under Control (PUC) Certificate
    • In case of a transport vehicle, the Fitness Certificate and any other related documents.
    • In case you are appearing for the test for a licence for a transport vehicle, you will also need to submit form CMV 5 issued by your driving training school
• Pay the relevant fees:

• You can also choose to make these payments online:
  • Choose ‘Application Fee’ under the ‘EPAYMENT’ top menu.
  • Enter your date of birth and application number.
  • Next, click on the ‘Click Here to Calculate Fee’ button.
  • Verify the details provided about your application and corresponding fees.
  • Choose the appropriate Gateway/Bank from the dropdown menu.
  • Enter the generated code for verification.
  • Click on ‘Pay Now’ and make the payment.
• Appear for the test at the designated time. If you pass the test, the driving licence will be issued within a couple of days.

COV codes for different types of vehicles

Driving test for heavy vehicles

Eligibility

• Age: The age requirement for a commercial driving licence depends on the state you reside in and can vary from a minimum age of 18 years to 22 years.
• Mental health: One must be of sound mental health to get the driver's licence for commercial vehicles.
• Education: The applicant must have completed formal education at least up to 8^th standard.
• Training: The applicant must undergo training at a government authorized motor school and obtain form CMV 5 from the school.

Documents required

• Driver Refreshing Training Certificate or form CMV 5
• Proof of address, which could be one among:
  • Passport
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Pan Card
  • Ration Card
  • Utility bills in the name of the applicant
• Proof of age, which could be one among:
  • Birth Certificate
  • Class 10th Passing certificate
  • Pan Card
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
• Forms for license application:
  • Form 2
  • Form 1A
  • Form 5
• Three passport size photographs
• Applicable fee

The driving licence fee has been hiked for the first time since 1989 by a recent amendment. Many people believe that getting a licence will cost them a fortune. However, this blog will tell you all that is a myth. Here we will give you the how’s, the why’s, the do’s and don’ts of your driving licence fee.

Driving licence fee structure: The first question that comes to anyone’s mind is what is the driving licence fee structure? The driving licence fee structure is as follows:

The fee structure for a learner’s licence include:

• Fee for Form 3 – Rs.30.
• Fee for Form 6 – Rs.40.
• The road safety cess fee – Rs.50.

The fee structure for a permanent driving licence include:

• The driving licence test fee – Rs.100.
• Fee for form 7 (or smart card) – Rs.200.
• The driving licence grant fee – Rs.40.
• The road safety cess for a licence for 2-wheeler, with/without gear – Rs.100.
• The road safety cess for a licence for light motor vehicles (non-transport) – Rs.150.
• The road safety cess for a licence for light motor vehicles (transport) – Rs.200.
• The road safety cess for a licence for medium and heavy motor vehicles– Rs.500.

The fee for international driving licence includes:

• The issue of the international driving licence – Rs.500.

Is the driving licence tax deductible?

Expenses will be counted for tax deductions only if they qualify as business expenses. Otherwise, personal licence fees do not make to the list of tax deductibles. The IRS has stated that marriage licence fees, driver’s licences and pet licences come under this category.

A driving license holds a lot of significance in India. It is not only the legal document that certifies that an individual is eligible for driving, but it also is a valid identity proof across India. The driving license is issued and administered by the Regional Transport Authority/Office of various states or Union Territories across the country. Though the respective state authorities publish them, they have a fairly standard procedure overall.

Validity of A Driving License

A license obtained under a particular RTO is valid throughout India. The driving license is valid up to 20 years from the date of issuance or until the license holder attains 50 years of age, whichever condition is met first. The scenario is different in the case of commercial license as it is valid only for three years.

Renewal Process of Driving License

The renewal of a license is an important function. The first step is to fill and submit Form 9 at the respective RTO. Furthermore, additional documents like medical certificate, valid proof of age and residential proof are also mandatory. The driving license renewal fees vary from state to state and hence below are some of the major states with their respective driving license’ renewal fees.

Please note that the following prices are for all vehicles that are non-transport, i.e. non-commercial.

Driving License in Maharashtra

The state of Maharashtra saw a total of 3,54,480 car sales in the year 2018-19. The state has a lot of vehicles and therefore, the driving license renewal fee is set at INR 416. An additional amount of INR 1 is levied if the application for the renewal of license is applied after the extension period.

Driving License in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh, more commonly known as UP, has a more affordable fee, as it has a lot of vehicles and drivers, followed by Maharashtra. The driving license renewal fee is of an amount INR 200.

Driving License in Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Gujarat

The fee for renewal of license in Tamil Nadu is at a price of INR 200. If the renewal request is applied after the grace period of 30 days, an extra INR 100 is charged, therefore the total comes to INR 300.

Portugal Visa

Country profile

Home to over 10 million people, the east European country Portugal is flanked by the North Atlantic Ocean on the east and Spain on the west. The archipelagos of Azores and Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean also belong to Portugal territory. Lisbon is the capital city of Portugal, which has very good bilateral relations with Australia. One of the oldest countries of Europe, Portugal was a world power in the 15th and 16th centuries but lost most of its wealth to a devastating earthquake in 1755. A revolution in 1910 dismantled the monarchy in Portugal, but the next 6 decades were dominated by repressive governments. However, in 1974, a military coup ushered in democratic reforms, and now Portugal is a democratic member of the European Union -- since 1986. As such Portugal is also a member of the Schengen zone which has 26 European countries as its members who have done away with all border controls and regulations. This means that once you have a visa for Portugal you can freely move within the 26 countries of the Schengen zone.

The main types of Portugal visa?

If you are planning a visit to Portugal for a short duration, you will have to apply for a Schengen visa to Portugal, which could be any one of the following:

Airport transit visa:This visa is required if you are going to pass through one of the Portugal airports for travelling to your destination which is out of the Schengen Area.

Visitor visa: his Portugal visa is required for foreigners who have family members, relatives or friends staying in Portugal and want visit them for a short vacation.

Tourist visa: This visa is needed if you wish to spend your holidays in Portugal for sightseeing or exploring the country.

Official visit visa: You will need this visa type if you are a member of a delegations visiting Portugal for official purposes

Medical visa: If you need to take medical treatment in Portugal, you will have to get this type of visa.

Business visa: If your purpose to Portugal is to do business, then you will have to procure a business visa.

Study visa: As the name implies, this visa is issued to students who wish to pursue their studies in Portugal for a short duration.

Cultural, sports and film crew visa: If the purpose of your visit to Portugal is for attending a cultural, sports or film activity, you need to get this type of visa.

Documents required for Portugal visa

To apply for a Portugal visa, you are need to submit the following documents to the Portugal embassy or consulate.

• A Portugal visa application form fully filled and signed
• Two sized photos which taken in the last three months.
• Your passport, which should not be older than 10 years, and should be valid for at least three months till after your intended departure from Portugal.
• You will also have to submit copies of your previous visas, if applicable.
• Portugal is bit of a multi-lingual country, and you may be allowed to select the language in which you need your visa, but if you want it in English, just check the box against the “no preference” option.
• You may need to submit a copy of your travel insurance policy which proves that you are covered for the whole of your visit to the Schengen Zone to the minimum extent of 30,000 Euros. This may be needed in cases of medical emergencies or repatriation in case of death.
• With the application, you need to submit a cover letter stating the purpose of your visit to Portugal.
• Your round-trip itinerary needs to be submitted which clearly states the dates and flight numbers of your entry and exit from the Portugal or the Schengen area.
• Also, you will have to show a proof of accommodation -- your hotel booking or any other arrangement for the whole duration of your visit to Portugal.
• A proof of your civil status has to be submitted, like a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, or death certificate of spouse, etc. which are applicable.
• You will have to also submit a proof of your financial status, showing that you have enough means to support yourself for the whole duration of your visit to Portugal. This can be a bank statement of the last 6 months.

Extra documents for self-employed people:

• A copy of your business license needs to be proffered
• A bank statement of your business company of the last 6 months
• An Income tax return (ITR) of your company

Extra documents for employed people:

• A copy of your employment contract needs to be submitted
• A copy of your bank statement for the last 6 months
• Leave permission from your employer in writing
• Your latest Income tax return (ITR) or a certificate of tax deducted at source (TDS)

Extra documents to be submitted by students:

• Copy of admission letter to an educational institution
• A bank statement of your business company of the last 6 months
• A ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) from your former school or university.

Extra documents if you are retired:

• If you are retired, you will have to submit your pension statement for the last 6 months.

Extra documents for minors:

• A birth certificate has to be submitted
• A Portugal visa application form which has been signed by both your parents
• A family court order will have to be submitted in cases where a minor visitor is in full custody of one parent
• Copies of ID proof and passport of both parents
• If you are a minor and travelling alone, you will have to submit a notarized authorization signed by both your parents or guardians

Extra documents required based on the purpose of your visit to Portugal:

Depending on the purpose of your visit to Portugal, you will need to submit some additional documents as follows:

Extra documents for a tourist Portugal Visa:

• Your bank statement of the last 6 months should be submitted
• You have to submit your travel itinerary stating the purpose of your visit to Portugal, including your entry and exit dates in the Schengen zone.
• Your hotel reservations during your stay in Portugal. Also list out the places you plan to visit and the activities you will be undertaking during your stay in Portugal.

Extra documents needed for airport transit Visa:

• A valid visa for the final country in the Schengen zone which you will be visiting.
• Your flight ticket to the final country in the Schengen Zone that you are traveling to.

Extra documents for a Portugal Visitor Visa

While applying for a Portugal visa to visit friends or family members, you will have to provide the following extra documents:

• You will need a proof of your financial status if you are going to fund your visit yourself, such as your bank statement of the last six months
• If someone else is going to support you, you will have to submit an obligation letter/ invitation from your guarantor which should not be older than 6 months, their salary statements of the last three months and proof of their tax payment.
• Copy of your guarantor’s ID and proof of their residence permit in Portugal.

Extra documents require for a business Schengen visa:

• An invitation letter from the company in Portugal with whom you will be engaging in business, along with the dates of your entry and exit from Portugal.
• If you are going on a business visit on behalf of your company, they you need to submit a certificate from your company to this effect.
• A bank statement of your business of the last 6 months has to be submitted.
• The memorandum and article of association of your company as officially registered. This should be an original certified copy.
• A copy of your trade license, both when it was originally issued and when it was renewed.
• You must submit proof of how your trip is being financed.

Extra Documents for a Student Visa to Portugal:

• You have to submit an enrollment certificate from the school, college or university where you have been admitted for the course.
• A no objection letter from your last (or current) educational institution.

Extra documents needed to be submitted for a medical visa to Portugal:

• A medical report stating that you need medical treatment in Portugal issued by a doctor, clinic or hospital in your home country.
• A medical attestation certificate from a hospital or a doctor in Portugal confirming your appointment for treatment.
• Proof that you have sufficient resources to meet any other related expenses for your medical treatment in Portugal.
• A receipt of the medical fees you have paid to the concerned clinic or hospital in Portugal.

Extra documents for a Portugal visa for cultural, film crew, sports or religious purposes

When you apply for a Portugal visa for attending a cultural, sports, or a religious event, you need to provide the following extra documents:

• An invitation letter from the appropriate organization in Portugal which outlines the type of events and activities being organized.
• Your entry ticket for the event taking place in Portugal
• The conditions of your enrollment in the event
• A detailed schedule of the events you are going to attend in Portugal
• Other documents of the names of the crew members and all relevant details of the event
• You will also need to submit a proof of your previous performance in similar activities at your national level or elsewhere on the international level.

Extra documents for joining your spouse who is a Portugal citizen:

• A Portugal marriage certificate
• The Portugal family record book

Overview

Poland, shaped by the continental collision of Europe and Africa, over 60 million years back. Stretching over an area of 312,696 sq. Km with a temperate seasonal climate is the 6th populated state in EU with 38.5 mil people. Warsaw is the largest metropolis and capital of Poland with other major cities like Wrocław, Poznań, Gdańsk and Łódź. It is bordered by the Baltic Sea, and also by the major countries like Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Germany.

Poland is a developed market and regional power, being the eighth largest and one of the most dynamic economies of EU. Warsaw, its capital, is the largest and most important in Central Europe. Along with high standards of living; high-income economy, life quality, safety and education are equally seen with great importance and value.

Although not as famed as its fashionable sisters, France and Italy, fashion has always been an important aspect of Poland. Poland has contributed largely to global trends, clothing habit, beauty inventions and cosmetics, which are still in use nowadays.

Its currency is Polish złoty.

How to Travel to Poland?

Poland is listed as a member state of the Schengen Agreement and the European Union. The country permits the U.S. citizens to enter the country for 90 days, be it a tourist or business purpose without a visa. However, the passport should be valid three months beyond the period of stay. You also need 10,000 € or equivalent with you and a return air ticket.

The Schengen area consists of 26 European countries. They do not have any border controls between them. The countries are Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Finland, France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Malta, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Iceland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Sweden, Slovenia, Portugal and Latvia. They have a common short stay visa policy.

Why is a Polish Visa Needed?

You will require a visa to visit the nation of Poland. Your reason for visiting Poland will decide the type of visa you should apply for. There are two types of Polish visas:

a. Schengen Visa:

This type of visa allows you a stay of 90 days. This visa also allows applicants to visit other Schengen states. Also, you will have no restrictions to visit or enter any of the Schengen states. Hence, the Schengen Visa C is issued not just for a single entry but also for double and multiple entries.

b. National Visa:

This type of visa allows you a stay of 91 days to 180 days. D-visa can be issued for many reasons, but there are two types of National D-visa. One allows working the other doesn’t.

Kinds of visa to enter Poland

Aforementioned, your visit to Poland can be for any reason and the reason will decide the kind of visa you are given. The types of visa for each visit are:

Tourist Visa:

• A letter of invitation with the address and phone number of friends or family
• Bank statement of last 6 months
• Passport copies

Schengen C- visa:

Stay in the Schengen territory for other purposes other than tourism.

Schengen visa is waived for:

• Children below six years
• School students, postgraduate students and teachers who accompany them on the basis of study or educational training
• A third countries’ Researchers travelling for the purpose of scientific research as mentioned in the EC regulations
• Representatives of no profit organization travelling to participate in an event organized by a non-profit company
• Family members of the European citizens

Business purpose:

• An invitation from a Polish company with their address and dates of your visit.
• A certificate stating the business travel from the employer
• Proof of earlier trades between the two companies
• Last 6 months’ business bank statement
• Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy, Trade License (oldest and latest), Partnership documents
• The total expenses of your stay must be stated on the invitation

For Medical:

• A medical report stating the situation of the applicant
• An attested medical report from the doctor in Poland confirming the date and medical situation
• Receipt of medical fees paid

For culture, sports, film crews or religious purposes:

• An invitation stating the purpose of the visit and expense covered
• Name of the crew members
• Duration and travel itinerary

For members of official delegations:

• The official invitation
• Identity of the member
• Purpose of visit
• Duration and accommodation

For study-related purposes:

• An enrollment certificate
• Certificate of completion or courses attended
• Financial sustainability

For wife/husband of a Polish citizen:

• Proof of Polish citizenship
• Polish marriage certificate
• Polish family record book

For a transit visa:

• This visa or an alternate entry permit licensing you to enter the country before you change flights to reach your final stop
• Copy of valid visa to your final stop

For underage children:

• Proof of parent’s regular income
• Travel permission from consent parent

For National visa:

• If you plan to stay for more than 3 months; you have to apply for a national visa for a further stay. You need to apply for a national D-type visa.Period of validity of D-Visa cannot be more than 1 year. There are 2 types of D-visa.
• National D-visa as a national visa: You can stay in the territory for any other purpose other than work.
• National D-visa (work) as a national visa: You can stay in Poland for work purpose only for the whole period of visa validity.
• For Polish visa, apply in the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, New Delhi.

How to Check the Status of Poland visa?

You can check the status of your Poland visa by going online and ‘tracking the application’

Documents required for a Poland Visa

• Download the application or fill it electronically and print out the hard copy
• photos with a light background
• Your passport and copies of previous visas — valid for at least 3 months beyond your return date
• blank pages minimum
• Copy of return ticket
• Take a travel visa insurance with a confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within Poland and the entire Schengen area
• Cover letter stating the specific reason of visit
• Flight itinerary reservation specifying entry and exit dates along with your flight numbers
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of civil status
• Proof of financial means for the period of stay

Documents required as per the position

Employed:

• Employment contract
• Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
• NOC from the employer
• Income Tax Return form

Self-employed:

• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return form

Student:

• Proof of enrollment
• Approval letter from the school
• Copy of the fee receipt

Retired:

• Pension statement of the latest 6 months but sometimes regular income generated by property as proof of the previous 6 months is required

The documents mentioned above are mandatory, otherwise, the visa will not be issued and your application will be rejected.

Saudi Arabia is famous for Mecca and Medina, but these are not the only places that the largest Sovereign state in the Middle East has to offer. Over the last two decades, Saudi Arabia has emerged to be the largest economy of the Middle East and ranks 18th largest in the world.

Saudi Arabia is among the largest oil producing nations in the world. It also has under its control World's second largest oil reserves and sixth largest gas reserves. Having a high Human Development Index, it falls into the category of the high-income economy as per the reports of the World Bank. Further, Saudi Arabia is the only Arab country to be a part of G-20 major economies and also is the active member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and OPEC.

Why is Saudi Arabia Visa needed?

Some countries usually exempt the visa procedure for a limited duration of stay. Therefore, there is always a confusion revolving about the visa requirement. Coming to Saudi Arabia, as per the norms of the country, every person proposing to travel Saudi Arabia for whatsoever purpose shall be required to travel with passport and visa both. Notably, the person will have to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa. The information related to Saudi Arabia for Indians is available on the embassy of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Visa Eligibility:

To avail Saudi Arabia Visa, the applicant must have to take care of the following conditions:

• The person who applies for Saudi Arabia visa shall be required to forward the application for a visa through a registered agent, contact details of whom are available on the website of the embassy.
• The applicant shall not be allowed to stay for more than the time granted on the visa.
• Although the business visa is granted, it does not entitle the right to reside or work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Applicant visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should have to abide by Islamic laws of the country and regulations and should be able to respect society's values and traditions.
• Laws against drug trafficking are strictly implemented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabi. Any violations in this regard shall be subject to society's values and traditions.

Hence, due care must be taken to abide by the laws and ensure that the .

Saudi Arabia Application Process:

While submitting a visa application to the registered agent, care must be taken to follow the application process.

Step 1: The applicant should have a valid passport for at least six months from the date the visa is applied. The passport must have at least two pages that face each other.

Step 2: The passport then should be forwarded to the agent who has been authorised to collect the passport.

Step 3: The visa application form duly filled in, should be either submitted with a pen or printed. The applicant will have to take care that the details are correctly entered such as the address, mobile number, e-mail address and telephone number on the application.

Step 4: Two recently taken photographs of passport size with white background must be submitted. Side views are not acceptable; it must have a full face. One photo should be stapled with the application, and the other one should be attached loosely.

Step 5: The applicant is also required to comply with the instructions that apply to a particular type of visa already provided in the visa.

Step 6: It is also pertinent to consider that the registered visa agent shall pay the Saudi Arabia visa fee through an online mechanism and not to the Embassy. To process the visa application, Registered visa agent shall include his charge in the visa fee, if applicable.

Step 7: The applicants who are non- residents shall be required to submit the residential permit together with the other documents.

If the applicant fails to comply with the conditions mentioned above, the authorities may not issue the visa and return the application form.

Types of Saudi Arabia Visas:

Owing to the of different applicants applicants of different purpose to travel to Saudi Arabia for whatsoever need.

Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa:

Despite the fact that most tourism of Saudi Arabia involves religious pilgrimages, as per the reports provided by the World Bank, in the year 2012 approximately 14.3 million people had visited Saudi Arabia, and also reports suggest that Saudi Arabia is the 19th most visited country in the world.

It was in the year 2013, the intention of issuing a for the first time.

Some of the top destinations in Saudi Arabia are:

• Mecca
• Jeddah
• Riyadh
• Dammam
• Abha
• Khobar
• Diriyah
• Jizan
• Al Bahah
• Jubail
• Dhahran
• Al Balad
• Hofuf
• Qatif

Saudi Arabia Business Visa:

Since Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest growing economies, it does offer many attractive opportunities. Looking at the development and GDP level of Saudi Arabia, many investors are taking an interest in investing in Saudi Arabia. If the person desires to invest in Saudi Arabia who is not a resident of Saudi Arabia, he must apply for a

Documents Required:

To avail Business visa following documents the applicant shall have to submit:

• The applicant must have an original passport that is valid for six months along with an old passport if any.
• Two passport sized photographs with white background.
• The applicant should also submit the covering letter stating the purpose of business and even the round seal of the company is compulsory.
• Higher education proof as in degree certificate.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Saudi Arabia should grant approval or recommendation letter should be provided by the chamber of commerce of Saudi Arabia to the embassy to issue the visa.
• The applicant should also submit the registration copy of a Saudi company.
• The chamber of commerce should also issue the original letter
• Applicant's original bank statement of the previous three months along with bank seal and sign.

Saudi Arabia Family visit visa:

A person holding a family visit visa have the right to work or reside in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabi.

Documents required :

• Passport having six months validity, having two visa pages adjacent to each other. The passport must enable the applicant to enter the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and also the next destination.
• Latest photograph of white background.
• The application should be filled with accurate information and also in the capital letters.
• The applicant should have a reference note displaying the number and date of the visa that is issued by the Ministry of Foreign affairs or any of its branches in Dammam or Jeddah
• The fees have to be paid online through the Enjaz website or any of the visa offices registered. The consulate does not accept payment.
• Minors who travel with one parent or alone should submit notarised letter either in English or Arabic which should be signed by both the parents or legal guardians.
• All the applications must be typed in capital letters.

Saudi Arabia Transit Visa:

If the duration of stay is more than 12 hours at the airport, then the person will require a transit visa. if the person stays for less than 12 hours, then there is no requirement of applying for a transit visa.

Documents required:

• Passport of original in nature having six months validity.
• Confirmation of round trip airline ticket.
• The applicant must have a valid onward destination visa if applicable.
• If the traveller has the chance of passing through immigration, a visa is required.

Saudi Arabia Religious Visa:

The applicant who desires to travel to Saudi Arabia for the religious purpose must apply for a visa.

Documents Required:

• The applicant's medical report issued by a licensed physician certifying that the applicant is free from any contagious disease including tests for Hep A, B, C. The applicant must issue the medical report within three months from the date of issue. Children who are under sixteen years of age do not require a medical report. The medical report must be signed and stamped by a licensed physician.
• If the applicant is Muslim and is travelling to Medina or Jeddah airport, vaccination card showing that the Meningitis vaccine has been taken up.
• The application further should be made through a licensed travel agency which must provide the consulate with the copies of accommodation contacts and also should forward a letter to the religious ministry in Saudi Arabia confirming that all the formalities have been completed by the travel agency to guide the applicants. Places, where applicant's name appear, should exactly match with the passport's name.

Saudi Arabia Student Visa:

To pursue higher education, Saudi Arabia offers high-quality study programs for students of Indian national the right opportunity to choose the right program and for students who want to have a bright future after pursuing higher education, Saudi Arabia is the right place.

It has put immense efforts in its education system to make it impressive, some of the recognised universities of Saudi Arabia offer a high-quality educational program for students who want to pursue higher education. to take the advantages of the prestigious courses so provided by Mexico, a Student visa is a must.