How to Apply for Fresh Indian Passport via Passport Seva

1. Introduction

Under the Passports Act, 1967, an Indian passport is the primary sovereign legal travel document confirming citizenship and identity. Administered by the Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through a nationwide network of Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSK), passport issuance has been largely digitized under the Passport Seva Project.

This guide provides the official procedural roadmap for applying for a fresh ordinary passport, understanding Non-ECR eligibility, booking PSK appointments, clearing the three-counter verification process, and successfully passing police verification.

2. Quick Answer: 4 Steps to an Indian Passport

1. Register & Apply Online: Register at passportindia.gov.in, complete Form for Fresh Passport, and pay the fee (₹1,500 for normal 36 pages).
2. Book PSK Appointment: Select your nearest PSK or POPSK and choose an available date and time slot.
3. Attend PSK Appointment: Carry original documents. Undergo token issuance, Counter A (document scan, digital photo, biometrics), Counter B (verification by government officer), and Counter C (granting officer approval).
4. Police Verification & Speed Post Delivery: Local police officer visits your address or calls you to the station. Once cleared, your passport is printed and dispatched via India Post Speed Post.

3. Categories and Fee Structure

4. Documents Required (Standard Adult, Non-ECR)

You must bring original documents plus two self-attested photocopies of each to the PSK:

1. Proof of Present Address (Any ONE):

• Aadhaar Card (e-Aadhaar printed from UIDAI is valid)
• Passbook of running bank account (Scheduled Public/Private Bank, with photograph affixed and bank stamp)
• Electricity Bill / Water Bill / Piped Gas Bill in applicant’s name (< 3 months old)
• Spouse’s Passport copy (first and last page mentioning applicant’s name as spouse, with matching address)

2. Proof of Date of Birth (Any ONE):

• Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births & Deaths or Municipal Corporation
• Transfer / School Leaving / Matriculation Certificate issued by recognized education board
• Aadhaar Card / e-Aadhaar
• PAN Card

3. Proof of Non-ECR Eligibility (Any ONE):

• 10th Standard (Matriculation) or higher passing marksheet/degree certificate
• Assessment orders showing payment of Income Tax for the past 1 year
• Persons holding diploma or professional degrees

5. Step-by-Step Online Application Process

1. Register on the Passport Seva Online Portal (https://passportindia.gov.in).
2. Login with your registered ID and click Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport.
3. Choose State and District to determine your Regional Passport Office (RPO) jurisdiction.
4. Select:
   • Applying for: Fresh Passport
   • Type of Application: Normal (or Tatkaal)
   • Type of Passport Booklet: 36 Pages (or 60 Pages)
5. Enter Applicant Details: Name, Surname, Date of Birth, Place of Birth (Village/Town, District, State).
6. Enter Family Details: Father’s Name, Mother’s Name, Legal Guardian (if applicable), and Spouse Name.
7. Enter Present Residential Address: Mention whether you have resided at other addresses in the past 1 year.
8. Enter Emergency Contact: Name, address, and mobile number of a relative or friend.
9. Enter Non-ECR status: Select Yes if you have passed Class 10.
10. Review your complete Passport Preview Page. Verify spelling of all names.
11. Click Pay and Schedule Appointment.
12. Make online payment via SBI ePay (UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit cards).
13. Select your preferred PSK/POPSK, choose an open date slot, and print the Application Receipt with your Appointment Batch and Sequence Number.

6. What Happens Inside the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

On the appointment day, arrive 15 minutes prior to your batch time:

[Security Check & Token Desk] ──► Receives Token Number
             │
             ▼
[Counter A (TCS Staff)] ─────────► Document Scanning, Live Photo, 
             │                    Fingerprints, Touchscreen Review
             ▼
[Counter B (MEA Verifier)] ─────► Verifies Original Physical Documents
             │
             ▼
[Counter C (Granting Officer)] ──► Final Decision: "Granted" / "Clarification"
             │
             ▼
[Exit Counter] ──────────────────► Hands over Acknowledgment Slip

7. Police Verification Guidelines

Police verification is the final safeguard before printing:

• Keep original documents ready at home: Aadhaar, 10th marksheet, electricity bill, and two character reference contacts from your residential locality.
• Ensure you have declared all addresses where you lived during the past 1 calendar year. Concealing an address is the single most common cause for passport impoundment and fines under Section 12(1)(b) of the Passports Act.

8. Official Resources

• Official Portal: passportindia.gov.in
• National Call Centre (Toll-Free): 1800-258-1800 (8:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
• mPassport Seva App: Available on Google Play and Apple App Store
• Grievance Redressal: passportindia.gov.in -> Feedback/Grievance

9. Disclaimer

eGyan.in is an independent civic portal. We are not an agency or agent of the Ministry of External Affairs. Citizens should never pay unauthorized agents who guarantee passport issuance.