How to Apply for Passport Services in India

Passports are issued in India by the Ministry of External Affairs, which manages a network of 37 passport offices around the nation and 180 Indian Embassies and Consulates worldwide. The Indian Passport is valid for 10 years and may be renewed every 10 years.

Individuals who go overseas for educational purposes, tourism, pilgrimage, medical treatment, business, or family visits should have this passport with them at all times, as it acts as a vital travel document. According to the Passports Act, 1967, the passport verifies the bearers’ status as citizens of India, whether by birth or naturalization.

Providing passport services in India is the responsibility of the Consular, Passport and Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The CPO and its network of passport offices, as well as Passport Seva Kendras, are managed by the Ministry of External Affairs (PSKs).

Through the 185 Indian missions or posts across the world, non-resident Indians (NRIs) can get passports and other miscellaneous services. It should be noted that, in accordance with the criteria given down by the Indian Civil Aviation Organization, all passports issued to persons are machine-readable (ICAO).

Passport Seva Project

The Passport Seva Project was created by the Ministry of External Affairs with the goal of providing Passport Services to all citizens of India in a convenient and pleasant setting. Also required is one that is reliable and has a larger range of accessibility.

The goal of this project is to establish Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) throughout India, as well as a Data Center and Disaster Recovery Center, as well as a phone center that will function in a variety of Indian languages. The government is also looking at the possibility of a centralized, countrywide computerized system for issuing passports.

As an extension of the Regional Passport Offices, the Passport Seva Kendras are now functioning as a separate entity. If you are applying for a passport, you should find out which offices are under the authority of which Regional Passport Office and which Passport Seva Kendra before you submit your application.

Appointment rescheduling or cancellation

1. In the first step, you should go to the Passport Seva Kendra with all of your needed documents and photocopies in hand. It is not necessary to provide a photograph.
2. If you were unable to receive your PSK owing to the non-availability of your papers, you may re-apply for it as a ‘Walk-IN’ appointment within three working days after the date of your original appointment.
3. Walk-in applications are permitted in a limited number of categories. It is possible to schedule an appointment online, but it is not required.
4. The fourth step is to travel to the Passport Office and submit your application manually if you were unable to arrange an appointment or did not qualify for the Walk-in category.

Manual Submission of Applications

Manual submission of the application form for a passport requires that you appear in person at the Passport Office with the completed application form and a self-attested copy of all supporting documentation. A color photograph (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) with a white backdrop should be attached to the original papers as well as the photocopy.

In order to proceed, you must submit the application together with the required payments. You may learn more about passports by visiting www.passportindia.gov.in.

The official at the DPC counter will validate your application form, and after this has been completed, you will be able to pay the costs in the form of a Demand Draft (DD).

After paying the cost, you will be able to pick up the Acknowledgement Letter, which will include a File Number. The file number may be used to track the status of the file by selecting the ‘Track Application Status’ option from the drop-down menu.

Steps to apply online if the applicant is presently not living in India

Submission of an online form from a foreign country (In the event that the applicant is not already residing in India)

Step 1: Register online at the Global Passport Seva Portal (www.embassy.passportindia.gov.in). On the Home Page, choose your country of residence from the drop-down menu and click the “Register” option.

If your country of residency is not listed in the Global Passport Seva Online Portal, you will be required to apply for a background check in India, which will require you to complete the Online Form Submission India process.

Step 2: Sign in to the Global Passport Seva Online Portal using the Login ID that was generated in Step 1 to complete

Step 3: Please click on the link “Apply for Background Verification for GEP.”

Step 4: Fill out the application form with all of the necessary information and submit it.

Step 5: To print the application data, including the Application Reference Number (ARN) and other information, select the “Print Application Form” option from the menu bar.

Step 6: Organize your thoughts and feelings about the situation. The Indian Embassy/website Consulate’s will provide you with information on the whole background check application submission procedure for the Global Entry Program (GEP).

Proceed to the closest Embassy/Consulate office or Outsourced Service Provider (OSP) (in line with the Embassy/application Consulate’s submission process) and present the required original documents, as well as the USD 25 application fee.

Submission of Online Forms (Applicant presently living in India)

Step 1: Register with the Passport Seva Online Portal by filling out the necessary information. Click the “Register Now” option on the Home Page. Then, using the Login ID you generated in Step 1, log into the Passport Seva Online Portal.

Step 2: Fill out the form with all of the necessary information and submit it.

Step 3: On the “View Saved/Submitted Applications” screen, click the “Pay and Schedule Appointment” option to make a reservation for a time. All PSK/POPSK/PO locations now need online payment in order to schedule appointments.

Any of the following methods of payment can be used to make an online purchase:

• American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and AMEX.
• State Bank of India (SBI) and other banks Internet Banking services.
• Making Use of the UPI System

Step 4: Organize your thoughts and feelings about your situation. Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number may be printed out by selecting the “Print Application Receipt” option on the application receipt page.

Note: It is no longer necessary to provide a printed copy of the Application Receipt. During your visit to the Passport Office, an SMS containing your appointment information will be accepted as verification of your appointment.

Step 5: Bring your original papers to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)/Regional Passport Office (RPO) where you have scheduled an appointment.