An Indian passport is your ticket to international travel. The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified it is a travel document, not a proof of citizenship. India now issues e-passports with embedded RFID chips. The entire application system is fully digital — from filling the form to booking your PSK slot to tracking your application. This guide covers fresh passport, tatkal, renewal, and common problems.
Passport Types & New Fees (Effective July 1, 2026)
Type
Description
Fee (36-page)
Fee (60-page)
Normal
Regular 30-day processing
₹2,500
₹3,500
Tatkal
Fast-track, 1-3 days
₹5,000 (total)
₹6,000 (total)
Reissue
After expiry / changed details
₹2,500
₹3,500
Reissue (Lost/Damaged)
Replacement for lost/damaged passport
₹5,000 (Normal) / ₹7,500 (Tatkal)
₹6,000 (Normal) / ₹8,500 (Tatkal)
Minor passport
Under 18 years, 5-year validity
₹1,750 (Normal) / ₹4,250 (Tatkal)
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Validity: 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors. Renewal should be done 1-year before expiry.
पात्रता — Who Can Apply
Indian citizen (verified by birth/naturalization)
No criminal case pending against applicant that restricts movement
Minor applicants (age < 18) need both parents' consent
Exclusions (rare)
Court-restricted individuals
Persons with unresolved citizenship status
आवश्यक दस्तावेज़ — Documents Required
Fresh passport (all applicants need)
Proof of Date of Birth — any ONE: birth certificate, passport, Class 10 certificate, PAN card, Aadhaar, voter ID, driving license
Proof of Present Address — any ONE: Aadhaar, voter ID, passport, utility bill (within 3 months), rent agreement (registered), bank passbook (< 1 year)
Proof of Citizenship — any ONE: PAN + voter ID, or by demonstration during police verification
Minor passport
Annexure H (consent of both parents / single parent) — or Annexure G for court-awarded custody
Both parents’ passports (if any)
Minor’s birth certificate (mandatory)
Guardian’s supporting documents
Tatkal passport
Standard documents + Annexure I (verification by Class I government officer / Senior Manager / Tehsildar) OR any 3 of the 16 tatkal documents (see passportindia.gov.in list)
आवेदन प्रक्रिया — Apply Online (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Register on portal
Open https://www.passportindia.gov.in
Click “Register Now” → fill basic details + email
Click the activation link emailed to you
Step 2: Fill application
Login → click “Apply for Fresh Passport / Reissue of Passport”
Choose passport type: Fresh / Reissue / Tatkal
Fill the form (saves progress; can resume later):
– Personal details (name as per documents)
– Present address
– Permanent address
– Family details
– Education + employment
– Previous passport (for reissue)
Upload photograph + signature OR capture at PSK
Payment: Pay applicable fees online (e.g., ₹2,500 for normal 36-page) — via net banking / UPI / card
Step 3: Book PSK (Passport Seva Kendra) appointment
Click “Schedule Appointment”
Choose PSK / POPSK nearest to you
Pick available date/time slot
Confirm
Step 4: Visit PSK with documents
Arrive 15 minutes early
Documents — originals + photocopies
Pay no one on-site for any “service” — all genuine charges are paid on portal
Inside PSK:
– Token issued
– Counter A — document verification
– Counter B — biometric + photograph capture
– Counter C — granting officer reviews + approves (subject to police verification)
Step 5: Police verification
Pre-verification for fresh passport: police visit your address within 15-45 days
Carry witnesses (2 people with ID + address proof) when they visit
Post-verification sometimes: passport issued first, police verifies later (for reissue in most cases)
Step 6: Passport delivery
Speed Post / India Post Book Post to your present address
Typical time: 7-45 days after PSK visit
Tatkal: 1-3 days (sometimes same-day)
Tatkal Passport — When and How
Tatkal is for genuine urgency:
Immediate travel required (proof: tickets, visa appointment)
Illness / medical treatment abroad
Family emergency
Work transfer abroad
Tatkal fee + process
₹3,500 extra on standard fee
Strict verification — carry Annexure I or 3 of 16 tatkal documents
1-3 days issuance
Police verification happens post-issuance
High denial rate for weak documentation — be prepared
Renewal / Reissue Process
Passport expires? Apply for Reissue (not fresh):
Same portal flow as fresh
Select “Reissue” → enter previous passport number
Attach photocopy of previous passport
Submit + PSK appointment
Typical renewal timeline: 7-30 days
Pre-PSK online renewal also supported — you can skip PSK visit in some cases if all data matches (Passport Seva Online Renewal mode)
When to renew
Apply 1 year before expiry for normal processing
6 months before expiry for tatkal urgency
Expired passport: valid passport stays recognised for 1 year post-expiry, but new passport is needed for re-entry
Address Change / Name Change
Address change: reissue application required (treated as fresh)
Name change (marriage, gazette notification): reissue required with supporting documents
Don’t use expired/old passport with wrong address for international travel — major delays at immigration
Last verified: 20 April 2026. Official source: https://www.passportindia.gov.in
Yeh website kisi bhi sarkari vibhaag se sambandhit nahi hai. Yahan di gayi jaankari sirf shaikshanik uddeshya ke liye hai.
What is the fee for fresh Indian passport?
₹1,500 for 36-page and ₹2,000 for 60-page passport. Tatkal service adds ₹3,500 over standard fee. Minor passport is ₹1,000.
How long does passport issuance take?
Fresh passport: 7-45 days depending on police verification speed. Tatkal: 1-3 working days. Reissue: 7-30 days.
What is the difference between PSK and POPSK?
PSK is the original Passport Seva Kendra in major cities. POPSK is the newer Post Office-partnered expansion to smaller cities. Both offer identical services.
Can I apply for passport from a different city than my address?
Application goes to PSK under your current permanent address jurisdiction. PSK appointment must be in that jurisdiction; you can apply from anywhere online.
When should I renew my passport?
Apply 1 year before expiry for normal processing. 6 months before expiry for tatkal urgency. The old passport stays recognized for 1 year post-expiry but new is needed for re-entry.