How to Apply for Indian Passport Online (Passport Seva)

1. Normal vs. Tatkaal Schemes

Indian passports are issued under two administrative schemes by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA):

Normal Scheme: Cost is ₹1,500 for a standard 36-page adult booklet (10-year validity) or ₹2,000 for a 60-page jumbo booklet. Processing takes 15 to 30 days, including pre-police verification. Standard proofs of address, date of birth, and Non-ECR are sufficient.

Tatkaal Scheme: Designed for genuine travel urgency. Cost is ₹3,500 total (₹1,500 standard fee paid online + ₹2,000 Tatkaal fee paid online). Processing takes 1 to 3 business days, with police verification conducted post-issuance in most eligible cases.

2. Registering & Filling ARN on Passport Seva

Step 1: Navigate to the official portal passportindia.gov.in. Click 'New User Registration'. Choose your Regional Passport Office (RPO) jurisdiction based on where you presently reside, not your permanent hometown.

Step 2: Log in and click 'Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport'. Choose the online application route to fill the form directly in your browser.

Step 3: Enter your full legal name matching your 10th certificate or birth proof. If you have ever used an alias or previous name, disclose it truthfully.

Step 4: Enter your present residential address. You must list all addresses where you have resided during the past 12 months. Hiding a temporary address leads to adverse police reports.

Step 5: Select Non-ECR status as 'Yes' if you have passed 10th standard (Matriculation) or hold a graduate degree, and upload your educational certificate.

3. Online Fee Payment & Slot Booking

Under MEA guidelines, appointment slots can only be booked after paying the application fee online through State Bank of India (SBI) Netbanking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI.

Select your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). The portal displays available appointment dates in green. Choose a convenient date and batch time, then download and print the Appointment Receipt containing your Application Reference Number (ARN) and barcode.

4. What Happens at the PSK (Counters A, B & C)

Arrive at the PSK 15 minutes before your scheduled batch time. You will progress through three sequential counters:

Counter A (Citizen Service - TCS Staff): Your biometric data is enrolled. TCS staff capture your digital portrait photograph against a white background, record digital fingerprints of all 10 fingers, and record your electronic signature. You review all personal details on a dual screen before final submission.

Counter B (Verification - Government Officers): A verifying officer inspects all your original physical documents (Aadhaar, 10th marksheet, birth certificate, bank passbook) against the uploaded scans.

Counter C (Granting - Senior Passport Officers): The Granting Officer conducts a brief interview, assesses police verification requirements, and marks your application as 'Granted'. You exit with an acknowledgment slip.

5. Police Verification Procedures

For Normal applications, the Regional Passport Office sends your verification file electronically to your local police station via the mPassport Police App. The beat officer will either visit your residence or summon you to the police station.

Furnish original address and identity proofs, your passport ARN slip, and contact details of two respectable local neighbors who can confirm your residential duration. Once the police officer submits a 'Clear' report, your passport moves to printing.

6. Speed Post Tracking & Receipt

Passports are printed by the India Security Press at Nashik and dispatched exclusively via India Post Speed Post. You will receive an SMS containing your 13-character Speed Post Air Waybill tracking number (e.g. PP123456789IN).

The postman delivers the passport strictly to the applicant upon verifying physical identity proof. Passports cannot be handed over to unauthorized third parties.