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NDTV
05-06-2025
- NDTV
How To Apply For Passport In India: Steps, Documents And Everything Else To Know
Thinking about finally taking that international trip or studying abroad? The first thing you will require is a valid Indian passport. Thankfully, because of the online portals, applying for one is easier than ever. Gone are the days of endless paperwork and standing in long queues. With an easy online passport system, you can apply for a new passport or renew an existing one from the comfort of your home. Still, if you are new to thing, it could feel a bit daunting. But worry not! Follow these simple steps to understand the process thoroughly, so that you're at ease while it happens. Here's what you need to do to get a passport in India. Here's A Step-By-Step Guide To Applying For A Passport In India Follow these simple steps if you want to apply for a passport in India. 1. Register On The Passport Seva Portal: Visit the Passport Seva Online Portal. Select 'New User Registration' and fill in the required details, including your name, date of birth, and email ID. 2. Fill Out The Form After logging in, select 'Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport' Complete the form with all the relevant information Review before submitting 3. Pay The Application Fee After submitting the form, click on 'Pay and Schedule Appointment' Choose your preferred Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) Pay the application fee using your choice of mode. 4. Schedule An Appointment Select a convenient date and time slot for your appointment at the chosen location. Confirm the appointment and download the application receipt. 5. Visit The PSK/POPSK Arrive at the selected centre on the scheduled date with all required original documents and self-attested photocopies. At the centre, your documents will be verified, biometric data will be collected, and you may be interviewed by a passport officer. 6. Police Verification A police investigation will be conducted depending on the type of application and your current address. Make sure you are available at your residence during this period and provide any additional documents requested by the police. 7. Track Application Status On the Passport Seva Portal, click on 'Track Application Status' and enter your file number and date of birth. Check it regularly until your passport is dispatched. Once processed, your passport will be dispatched to your registered address. What Documents Do You Need For A Passport When applying for a passport, you must provide original documents along with self-attested photocopies. The specific documents may vary based on each person's circumstance, 1. Proof Of Address (any one of them): Aadhar Card Voter ID Electricity, Water, or Telephone Bill Bank Statement Rental Agreement 2. Proof of Date Of Birth (any one of them): Birth Certificate School Leaving Certificate PAN Card Aadhar Card 3. Identity Proof: PAN Card Aadhar Card Voter ID 4. Additional Documents (if applicable): Marriage Certificate (for name change after marriage) For minor applicants, present address proof document in the name of parent(s) can be submitted. Divorce decree, court order (if adopted), or police report (if passport is lost or stolen) Moreover, make sure that all the documents are valid and up to date to avoid delays in processing. How Much Will A Passport Cost In India? On the Passport Seva portal, you find a 'Fee Calculator' that helps you determine the cost of your passport, based on the type. Adults (18 years and above): The fee for a passport for an adult is Rs 1,500 (for 36 page booklet), and Rs 3,500 for a Tatkal (emergency) passport. Adults (18 years and above): The fee for a 60-page booklet for adults is Rs 2,000. The tatkal fee for the same is Rs 4,000 Minor (Below 18): The fee for a 36-page booklet is Rs 1,000. Whereas the tatkal fee for the same is Rs 3,000. How Long Will It Take To Get A Passport In India? The processing time of your passport depends on the type of service you have asked for and whether or not police verification is required: For Normal Passport: With police verification: 25 to 30 working days Without police verification: 7 working days For Reissue (no address change): 7 working days (mostly) Who Is Eligible For An Indian Passport? Any Indian citizen can apply for a passport, if they meet the following criteria: Must be an Indian citizen by birth, descent, registration, or naturalisation Should not be facing any criminal proceedings or have a pending warrant For minors, consent from both parents/legal guardians is required For Tatkal applications, additional verifications may also be needed. So, follow these steps and get your passport hassle-free!
Business Mayor
17-05-2025
- Business Mayor
India launches e-passports with enhanced security features: All you need to know about their benefits, security and how to apply online
India has formally joined the list of more than 120 nations, such as the United States, Canada, France, Japan, and Australia, in issuing biometric e-passports to its citizens. The move is a historic shift in enhancing national security, streamlining international travel, and keeping pace with ICAO international standards. As global travel recovers and border security assumes worldwide priority, India's move to biometric e-passports puts it at the leading edge of the technological transformation of identity management. What is an e-passport A biometric e-passport, or an electronic passport or e-passport, is an advanced form of the conventional passport. It combines sophisticated digital technology to embed the passport holder's personal and biometric details safely. The heart of an e-passport is an embedded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip in the back cover of the booklet. It holds: A small gold rectangle symbol on the cover indicates that the passport is equipped with electronic functionality. How to apply for e-passports online Indian nationals can apply for a biometric e-passport either through the Passport Seva Online Portal or in person at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). E-passports security features To protect data and conform to international standards, biometric e-passports employ various digital encryption and authentication techniques, such as: These standards are regulated by the ICAO Document 9303, which requires interoperability between nations and provides a seamless international verification. E-passports advantages Improved security Biometric e-passports offer a greater degree of security than conventional passports. The use of biometric information such as fingerprints and facial recognition ensures that the passport can be used by the owner alone, limiting the possibility of fraud and identity theft. Streamlined immigration process E-passports simplify the immigration process by facilitating automated and contactless identity verification at checkpoints for immigration. This considerably minimizes waiting times at border control points, enhancing the efficiency and minimizing the stress of international travel for commuters. Global recognition and compatibility Biometric e-passports adhere to international specifications laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), so they can be used at airports and border checkpoints across the globe. This makes international travel easier, as a large number of countries accept these passports. Prevention of identity fraud The sophisticated security mechanisms in biometric e-passports render it challenging for individuals to make changes or replicate passports. This aids in thwarting identity fraud and maintains the passport holder's individual information secure from abuse. Convenience for travelers E-passports make traveling easier by enabling the user to travel through automated e-gates at airports, without the need for manual inspection. This reduces travel time and makes travel more convenient, particularly at busy travel times. Enhances national security By including biometric information, e-passports promote national security. They enable improved tracking of people crossing borders, and the secure information prevents activities such as illegal immigration and identity theft, improving overall border control mechanisms. Simple data management and updating With e-passports, it is easier and more convenient to update or renew personal data. The electronically stored data can be readily accessed and updated, such that the renewal process is faster and more streamlined. Fosters digital transformation Biometric e-passports are a major development toward a completely digital system for travel. Their application facilitates the worldwide shift toward paperless travel and digital identities, leading to innovation in international mobility in the future. Why India adopted biometric e-passports India's initiative to implement biometric e-passports is a response to the increasing requirement to: The government intends to empower Indian citizens with a travel document that is recognized worldwide for its security, authenticity, and digital features. Indian cities that adopted e-passports with embedded chip India rolled out its biometric e-passport project under the Passport Seva Programme 2.0, a technology-driven update of the national passport issuing system. The pilot operation commenced in April 2024, with an intention to focus on selected cities such as: In Tamil Nadu, the issuance of e-passports started at the Regional Passport Office in Chennai on March 3, 2025. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that more than 20,700 e-passports were issued in the state in three weeks of launch. A nationwide rollout is scheduled by mid-2025, with biometric passports to become the default standard for all new and renewed Indian passports. How e-passports simplify international immigration One of the most concrete advantages of biometric e-passports is their capacity to streamline immigration processes. Biometric e-passports enable passengers to travel through e-gates located at global airports, where their identity is confirmed using a contactless biometric chip scan. These kinds of systems are already in place in Singapore, the UAE, and the UK—and India's move to biometric credentials will enable Indian citizens to take advantage of such international infrastructures. Where are e-passports manufactured All biometric e-passports are manufactured at Nashik's India Security Press, a government-owned industry under the Ministry of Finance. Centralized manufacturing ensures:
