How to Apply for an Indian Passport – Step-by-Step Guide

There are three main types of passports that are issued to individuals by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and they are mentioned below:

1. Blue Passport (Passport Type P)

Regular Indian citizens who plan to go outside for a variety of reasons, including business or leisure, are granted the ordinary passport, commonly referred to as a Type P passport. These passports are easily identified by their navy-blue color and are mainly used for leisure travel, including work, education, vacation, and other types of travel. 

2. White Passport

Out of all the other kinds of passports, the White Passport is one that is particularly authoritative. Only Indian government officials who are qualified to go abroad on official business are granted this passport. Customs and immigration authorities can quickly recognize government officials and treat them with the necessary formality due to its distinctive white cover, which acts as a formal visual signal. 

3. Diplomatic Passport

As the name indicates, government employees and diplomats who are going abroad on official business are issued an official or diplomatic passport. These passports, which are clearly identified by their characteristic white cover, are only available to those who work for the government. 

4. Orange Passport

With the introduction of the orange-colored passport in 2018, there was a major change in the way Indian passports were issued. By removing the address page from Indian passports, this modification signaled a break from the conventional passport design. The final passport differs significantly from the ones that were in circulation for a number of years. These updated passports include clear pages and a stylish, attractive appearance. 

Documents Required to Apply for an Indian Passport

The following documents are required:

1. Proof of identity such as Voter ID, Aadhaar card, PAN card etc. 

1. Proof of Address such as electricity bill, rent agreement, or driving licence 

1. Date of Birth proof such as School transfer certificate, birth certificate etc. 

1. Passport-sized photograph

Eligibility Criteria for Passport Application

The following are the eligibility criteria that should be fulfilled:

1. Applicants must be Indian citizen 

1. Reserved for diplomats, government representatives, and those traveling on formal diplomatic missions on behalf of the Indian government. 

How to Apply for an Indian Passport

To apply for an Indian passport, you must follow the steps given below: 

1. Visit the official website of passport seva 

1. Enter your user ID and password to access the Passport Seva Online Portal. Provide correct information about yourself, your address, and your family in the online application form 

1. Depending on your travel needs, choose between a standard passport, a diplomatic passport (for diplomats and government officials), or a Tatkal passport (for last-minute travel) 

1. Make an appointment at the nearest Passport Office or Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) after completing the application. Select a time and date that work best for you to visit 

1. Use one of the various online payment methods to pay the relevant passport fees. The kind of passport, the quantity of pages, and the processing speed (normal or Tatkal) all affect the cost 

1. Bring all the necessary documents to the chosen PSK or Passport Office on the day of the appointment. Keep the original documents with you for confirmation 

1. Your documents will be checked at the PSK, and your biometric information—such as your fingerprints and photo—will be recorded 

1. Using the application reference number you were given; you can monitor the status of your application online after it has been submitted 

1. The passport will be printed and sent to your registered address after the application has been reviewed and accepted. Another option is to pick it up in person at PSK. 

How to Track the Status of an Indian Passport Application

After completing your application, you can use the official portal to track its status: 

1. Start by going to the homepage of the Passport Seva location 

1. Find the Track Application Status button and click on it 

1. Enter important information such your Application Type, File Number, and Date of Birth on the next page 

1. Lastly, click the Track Status option to see your application's status. 

How to Renew an Expired Indian Passport

To renew an expired Indian passport, you must follow the steps given below: 

1. Use the Passport Seva Portal to register 

1. Choose Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport after logging in 

1. After selecting Renew Passport, complete the application 

1. Online payment of the renewal cost is required 

1. Make an appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) that is nearest to you 

1. Bring your documentation to the PSK so that biometric information can be collected and verified 

1. Use your application number to check the status of your application online.  

How to Reschedule or Cancel a Passport Appointment

If you want to reschedule or cancel your appointment, you can follow the simple steps mentioned below:

1. Visit Passport Seva Kendra.

1. Click on ‘Existing User’.

1. Log in with your credentials.

1. Click on ‘Submitted Applications/Saved Applications’.

1. You will view two options: either reschedule the appointment or cancel it.

1. To reschedule, select the preferable date as per your convenience and click on ‘Book Appointment’.

Tatkaal Scheme: Out-of-Turn Passport Applicants

The materials needed are the same ones needed if the application is filed following the normal procedure. It is important to note that applicants do not need to show evidence of urgency in order for out-of-turn passports to be issued under the Tatkaal system.

Furthermore, applicants need to be informed that after the passport is issued, police verification will take place under both the normal and Tatkaal systems.

Passport-Issuing Authorities & Collection Centers

As mentioned earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs works through the Central Passport Organization (CPO) and its network of Passport Offices, Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in the country and through embassies and consulates outside India for the issuance of passports and other passport-related services.

MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the government arm that takes care of the issuance of passports, re-issue of the document or other miscellaneous services, the ministry is in charge.

CPV

The Ministry of External Affairs' Consular, Passport and Visa Division is responsible for passport issue. Applications for official and diplomatic passports are processed by the CPV in Patiala House in New Delhi.

DPC, SPC, CSC

District Passport Cells, Speed Post Centers and Citizen Service Centers can only process applications for fresh passports and not re-issue, Tatkaal or other cases.

PSK

The materials required are the same as those required if the application is submitted in accordance with standard protocol. It's crucial to remember that under the Tatkaal system, applicants can get out-of-turn passports without having to provide proof of urgency. Additionally, applicants must be aware that both the regular and Tatkaal systems will require police verification following passport issuance.

PSLK

Seva Laghu Kendras are similar to PSKs in that they provide similar services, but they are limited to particular areas, such as the east and northeast. They reduce the amount of work that PSKs in these areas—which handle applications from many jurisdictions—have to do. In India, there are sixteen PSLKs, however their operations deviate from the PPP model. They are entirely under the jurisdiction, management, and construction of the government.

PO/RPO

Passports are issued, impounded, or rejected by Passport Offices and Regional Passport Offices. All back-end passport-related processes and services are handled by the POs. They are in charge of PSKs. Passport applications are processed, printed, and mailed. Dealing with the MEA, the state police, and the state administration falls under their purview. Additionally, they are in charge of RTI, financial, and legal operations. In India, there are 37 passport offices.

Indian Missions Abroad

The MEA works through about 180 Indian Missions / Posts for the issuance of passports outside India. These include Indian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates.

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