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Indian passport

An Indian passport is an official document issued by the Government of India that allows Indian citizens to travel to other countries. It serves as proof of identity and nationality as per the Passports Act (1967). The Passport Seva unit under the Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is the official authority responsible for issuing Indian passports to eligible Indian citizens.

Key highlights

A passport is one of the most important and powerful documents when you travel abroad. It has your name, date of birth, address, spouse’s name, etc. Today, it has become extremely easy to apply for an Indian passport online through the Passport Seva portal.

Passport fee ₹1000 to ₹4000
Passport validity 10 years for adults; 5 years for minors
Police verification Mandatory
Pages 36 or 60

Documents required for Indian passport application

The documents needed for passport application vary depending on whether you are a minor, adult or a senior citizen. It also depends on whether you are eligible for the non-ECR category or not. That said, you need to produce documents related to your address and birth while applying for an Indian passport. The table below shows the list of acceptable documents as an address and birth proof.

List of acceptable documents as address proof List of acceptable documents as birth proof
Water bill Birth certificate
Electricity bill Transfer or school leaving or matriculation certificate issued by the recognised school / recognised educational board
Aadhaar card PAN card
Election commission photo ID card Driving licence issued by the transport department
Proof of gas connection Election commission photo ID card
Certificate from employer of reputed companies on letter head Policy bond issued by the Life insurance Corporations of India or Public Companies
Spouse's passport copy  
Parent's passport copy, in case of minors  
Rent agreement  
Photo passbook of running bank account  

Types of passports in India

The different types of Indian passports are:

  • Ordinary passport: It consists of 30 to 60 pages. It’s generally issued to adults and has a 10-year validity. Ordinary passports issued to minors have a 5-year validity or till they attain 18 years of age, whichever is earlier.

  • Diplomatic passport: This type of passport is issued to designated members. These members are authorised by the Indian government.

  • Official passport: This passport is given to government servants or persons authorised by the Indian government to travel on official business abroad.

Indian passport fee structure

The table highlights the fee structure for a fresh Indian passport application based on the applicant’s age:

Age Required Scheme Fee in INR
Less than 15 years Normal 1000
18 Years and Above Normal 1500 for 36 pages; 2000 for 60 pages
Between 15 to 18 Years Normal
  1. 1000 for 5 years validity or till 18 years of age
  2. 1500 for 36-pages with 10 years validity
  3. 2000 for 60 pages with 10 years validity
Less than 15 Years Tatkaal 3000
18 Years and Above Tatkaal 3500 for 36 pages; 4000 for 60 pages
Between 15 to 18 Years Tatkaal 3500 for 36 pages; 4000 for 60 pages

Note: The prices are indicative and may change from time to time.

Passport application procedure

It’s quite easy to apply for a passport. Follow these steps for passport application:

1

Register and log in

Register through the Passport Seva portal and log in using the ID created. Keep the credentials secure for future reference.

2

Fill required details

Click on the ‘Apply for Background Verification for GEP’ link, fill the required details in the form and click on Submit.

3

Pay and schedule appointment

Click the ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ link to schedule your appointment. You can pay online (UPI/internet banking/credit or debit card) to book your appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or regional passport office (RPO).

4

Print application receipt

Click the ‘Print Application Receipt’ link to print the application receipt containing the Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number. However, you can now also show the SMS with appointment details as proof of your appointment.

5

Visit PSK or RPO

Visit the PSK or RPO where you’ve booked your appointment on your scheduled date with the original documents.

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How to track passport application status?

Tracking passport application status is quite simple. You can easily do it from the comfort of your home or office online in just a few clicks. All you need to do is:

  • Visit the official website of Passport Seva
  • Click on ‘Track Application Status’ under Home
  • Choose ‘Passport’ under ‘Select Application Type’
  • Enter your File Number and Date of Birth
  • Click on ‘Track Status’ to know the status of your application

What is Police clearance certificate?

A Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is a legal document issued to Indian passport holders who are applying for residential status, employment, long-term visas or immigration in a foreign country. It serves as proof that the individual has no criminal record in India. It’s often a mandatory requirement by foreign authorities during the visa or immigration process.

The PCC is not available to individuals traveling on a tourist visa. This is because it’s specifically meant for those relocating or staying abroad for extended periods due to work or residency. Applicants must submit relevant documents and follow the prescribed procedure to obtain the certificate.

Passport renewal process

You can renew your expired passport online. For passport renewal online:

  • Visit the official Passport Seva website
  • Click on ‘Existing User? Login’
  • Choose Re-issue of Passport
  • Fill in details like address, spouse’s info, and two local references.
  • Click ‘Validate’ and save the form.
  • Upload the saved form to auto-fill your application.
  • Go through the details carefully before submitting.
  • Go to ‘View Saved/Submitted Application’ to schedule your appointment.
  • Choose a suitable time slot and confirm your appointment at a PSK or RPO after making an online payment
  • Once the application process is complete, click on ‘Print Application Receipt’ to get a receipt with your application reference number (ARN)
  • Visit the PSK or RPO on your scheduled date with the required documents to complete the renewal process

What happens when passport gets rejected?

There could be several reasons for passport rejection, such as incorrect documents, mistakes in the application form, failure to complete police verification, etc. If your passport application gets rejected, your immediate step should be understanding the exact reason behind the denial.

Carefully review the communication from the passport office for any explanation provided. If the reason seems unclear or if you believe the application was unfairly rejected, you have the right to take further action. You can write directly to the concerned Regional Passport Office (RPO) seeking clarification. Once your concern is submitted, the passport authorities will initiate an investigation into the matter.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a passport cost in India?

The cost depends on several factors such as normal or tatkaal, your age, the number of pages you want in your passport, etc.

How can I apply for a passport?

You can easily apply for an Indian passport through the Passport Seva portal. Visit the portal, register yourself and follow the instructions to apply.

What is tatkaal passport?

If you need a passport urgently, you can apply for one on a tatkal basis. However, it will cost slightly more than a passport applied under the standard scheme.

What documents do I need to provide for passport application?

You need to provide documents related to your address and birth, such as an Aadhaar card, Election Commission photo ID card, PAN card, etc.

Why is police verification required in passport application?

Police verification is needed to ensure that the passport doesn’t go into the wrong hands. As it’s an extremely important and sensitive document, police verification is done.

What are e-passports?

E-passports contain a radio-frequency identification chip and an antenna. The chip contains biometric and personal information, such as fingerprints, facial data, name, passport number, etc. The data is protected through international encryption standards like basic access control (BAC) and passive authentication (PA).

What is the validity of an Indian passport?

For adults, the passport is valid for 10 years. For minors, it is valid for 5 years or until they turn 18, whichever is earlier.

What should I do if I lose my passport?

You should immediately report the loss to the nearest police station and the Indian Passport Office or the Indian Embassy/Consulate if you are abroad. Then apply for a reissue.

What is the difference between a normal and tatkaal passport?

A normal passport is issued in the standard time frame (7 to 10 days), excluding police verification. On the other hand, tatkaal passports are issued faster (1 to 3 days).

What happens if I miss my appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra?

If you happen to miss it, you must reschedule your appointment through the Passport Seva portal.

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