The process of making a passport for Indian citizens wishing to go abroad for travel, higher education or employment has now become simpler, transparent and faster than ever before. Through the ‘Passport Seva’ digital platform of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), one has now become completely free from long queues and the hassle of brokers. Citizens can fill the online application form by registering on the official portal in just 5 minutes from their mobile or laptop.
Under the normal scheme, the police verification is completed in about 15 to 30 days and under the Tatkaal scheme, within just 3 to 7 days, the passport is delivered directly to the home address by post.
Now a lot of paper formalities are not required to get a passport made. Mainly three types of documents are required:
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Proof of Date of Birth: Original Birth Certificate issued by Municipal Corporation or Gram Panchayat, 10th passing certificate/mark sheet, PAN Card or Driving License.
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Proof of Address: Electricity Bill, Water Bill, Telephone Bill, Bank Passbook (Nationalized Bank), Voter ID Card, Rent Agreement or Gas Connection Bill.
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Proof of Identity: Voter ID card, PAN card or other authorized government identity document.
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For Non-ECR Category: If the applicant has studied 10th class or above, then on submission of 10th mark sheet, the passport is issued in ‘Non-ECR’ category, thereby not requiring immigration clearance for work abroad.
Step 1: Registration on the official portal
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First the official portal of the Ministry of External Affairs passportindia.gov.in Go to (be careful and avoid websites with fake or similar domains).
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on the homepage ‘New User Registration’ Click on Options.
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Select your nearest passport office (RPO), complete the registration by entering name, date of birth, email ID and password.
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Activate your account by clicking on the activation link received in the email.
Step 2: Login and select form
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On the portal with your user ID and password ‘Existing User Login’ Do it.
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on screen ‘Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport’ Click the link.
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To fill the application ‘Click here to fill the application form online’ Select the option.
Step 3: Fill personal and address details
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Fill the form correctly with your name, parents’ name, marital status, place of birth, present and permanent address and names and contact numbers of two neighbours/references.
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After checking all the information carefully, ‘Submit’ the form.
Step 4: Fee Payment and Booking Appointment Slot
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After submitting the form ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ Go to Options.
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Select the mode of online payment (SBI Internet Banking, Credit/Debit Card or UPI).
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near you Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) Select.
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Lock the appointment by choosing the day and time (Time Slot) of your convenience from the green dates available in the calendar.
Step 5: Download the receipt
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Arriving on due date: Reach the Passport Seva Kendra on the scheduled date and time with the original documents and one self-attested photocopy of each.
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Biometrics and Verification: Document verification, digital photo capturing and fingerprint biometrics are recorded at three counters (A, B and C) inside the centre.
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Police Verification: After the application is approved by the centre, the data is sent to the local police station. Policemen physically check the documents by coming to the house or calling the police station.
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Speed Post Delivery: As soon as the Police Clearance Report (PVR) is uploaded, the passport is printed and sent directly to your address through speed post.
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Ordinary Passport (36 pages, 10 years validity): ₹1,500
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Ordinary Passport (60 Pages – Jumbo Booklet): ₹2,000
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Tatkal Passport (Tatkal Scheme): Normal fee + ₹2,000 extra (total ₹3,500)
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For Minors (5 years validity): ₹1,000
There are many fake and unauthorized websites active in the name of Passport Seva on the internet which charge huge fees. Keep in mind that the only official government website for passport application is passportindia.gov.in Is. Official mobile app name ‘mPassport Service’ Is.