Passport Applications

General FAQ

Q1. What types of passports are issued in India?

Following three types of passports are issued in India:

1. Ordinary Passport : An ordinary passport has blue cover, and consists of 36 or 60
pages. It is valid for 10 years from the date of issue and can be renewed for another 10
years. An Indian citizen can use this passport for ordinary vacation or business travel.
2. Diplomatic Passport: Has maroon cover ; Issued to designated members of the national
government, judiciary , statutory authorities, diplomats, official public couriers and any
other person specifically authorised by the Government.
3. Official Passport: Has grey cover ; Issued to designated Non-gazetted Government
servants or any other person specifically authorised by the Government deputed
abroad on government business.

Q2. What is the definition of minor for issue of passport?

Applicants less than 18 years of age are considered as minor for issuance of passport.

Q3. My passport is getting expired shortly. When can I apply for reissue of the
passport?
If you are a student, you can get your passport reissued within two years of Expiry of your
existing passport (as per the 'Date of Expiry' printed on the passport) by specifying the
reason for reissue as 'Validity Expired within 3 Years/Due to Expire'. Other applicants can
apply for reissue of passport within one year of expiry of existing passport by specifying the
reason for reissue stated above.

Q4. Is Identity Certificate mandatory for Government/Public Sector/Statutory

body employees?
For issuance of a fresh passport, Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees
need to submit either Identity Certificate in original as per Annexure "A" or No Objection
Certificate (NOC) as per Annexure "G" or Prior Intimation Letter (PI) as per Annexure "H" as
an additional document along with the application form. If he/she submits Annexure "A",
passport will be issued without police verification and if he/she submits Annexure "G",
passport will be issued on post police verification basis and if he/she submits Annexure "H",
passport will be issued on pre police verification basis. For re-issue of passport,
Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees need to submit No Objection
Certificate (NOC) as per Annexure "G" or Prior Intimation Letter (PI) as per Annexure "H" as
an additional document along with the application form.
Q5. What benefits do government employees and retired government employees get
for issuance of passport?

Government Employees : Government/Public Sector/Statutory body employees can be

issued passport without police verification, if they submit Identity Certificate in original as
per Annexure "A" as an additional document along with the application form. They can be
issued a passport on post police verification basis, if they submit No Objection
Certificate (NOC) (as per Annexure "G") and on pre police verification basis if they
submit Prior Intimation Letter (PI) as per Annexure "H" as an additional document
along with the Application Form.

Retired Government Employees : Retired Government employees can be issued

a passport on post police verification basis if they submit Pension Payment Order as
an additional document along with the application form.

Q6. What is the procedure to apply for duplicate passport in case of lost
or damaged passport ?

To apply for duplicate passport in case of lost or damaged passport, you have to fill
the Passport Application form and apply for "Re-issue" of passport.

Q7. There is a mistake in the spelling of my name in the passport. What can I do?

If you find any mistake/error in the particulars printed in the passport booklet as per the
application form submitted, please return the passport for necessary rectification. Any
additional fees required to be paid would depend solely on merit of the case as decided by
the Assistant Passport Officer / Passport Issuing Authority. If there is a misrepresentation of
facts, then penalty could also be imposed. However, applicants are requested to apply
online with the view to ensure that the passports are delivered without any typographical
errors since applicants have themselves fed the data.

Q8. What is the process to change the date/place of birth in the passport?

To change the date/place of birth in the passport, you have to apply for a "Re-issue"
of passport and get the specified change done in the personal particulars. To check
the complete list of documents to be submitted along with the application form, please
click on "Documents required" link on Home page.

Q9. What are the various locations where I can submit my application
for obtaining a passport?

You can submit Passport Application Form Online.

Q10. What are the various channels through which I can apply for
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) ?

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For Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) you need to fill the PCC Form online via e-Form
Submission (preferred) or via Online Form Submission for submitting your PCC application
online.

Q11. Is it necessary to paste the photograph in the printed copy of online filled
Diplomatic/Official Passport Application Form? If yes, what should be the
specifications of the photograph?

Yes, all applicants need to carry two colored photographs (size 4.5 x 3.5 cm) with white
background. Applicants should affix photographs on the printed copy of the online
filled Application Form.

First photograph needs to be affixed on the first page of the Application Form without any
signature/stamp.

Second photograph needs to be affixed on the third page of the application form, and then
stamped across with office stamp and signature of the Head of Office.

Q12. Do I need to provide original documents or will certified copies or extract

be enough?

Applicants are required to attach self-attested photocopies of all the required documents
with the application form. Original documents must be produced at the counter; which will
be returned after verification.

Q13. Is it mandatory to submit Birth Certificate for applicants who are born on
or after 26.01.1989?

No, you can submit the one of the following documents –Birth Certificate issued by the
Registrar of Births and Deaths or the Municipal Corporation or any other prescribed
authority, whosoever has been empowered under the Registration of Birth and Deaths Act,
1969 to register the birth of a child born in India.

Transfer/School leaving/Matriculation Certificate issued by the school last

attended/recognised educational board having the date of birth of the applicant.

PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department having the date of birth of the
applicant.

Aadhaar Card/E-Aadhaar having the date of birth of the applicant.

Copy of an extract of the service record of the applicant (only in respect of Government
servants) or the Pay Pension Order (in respect of retired Government Servants), duly
attested/certified by the officer/in-charge of the Administration of the concerned
Ministry/Department of the applicant, having his date of birth.

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Driving license issued by the Transport Department of the concerned State
Government, having the date of birth of the applicant.

Election Photo Identity Card issued by the Election Commission of India containing the date
of birth of the applicant.

Policy Bond issued by Public Life Insurance Corporations/Companies containing the

date of birth of the holder of the insurance policy.

Q14. Can online appointment be re-scheduled?

Yes, it can be re-scheduled thrice in a year.

Q15. How do I apply for a passport in the new system through CSC?

You have to just login Digital Seva Portal and go through the government services
and choose Passport Service and for issue of fresh passport and re-issue of passport, you
need to fill the application form online via e-Form Submission (preferred) or via
Online Form Submission. For Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) also, you need to fill the
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Application Form online via e-Form Submission
(preferred) or via Online Form Submission.

Q16. How can I fill Passport on line form through CSC?

Select RPO, select type of passport such as normal, Tatkaal, fresh or reissue etc. Fill on line,
pay Rs.100/- through CSC wallet, then click on pay and schedule appointment, make
passport fees through net banking/Debit/credit card and schedule on line appointment as
per time slot given for your state or area. Handover appointments slip to customer and ask him
to visit PSK or passport office along with all original documents on specified date and time .

Q17. What can I do if Authorization Fail?

Clear browsing history, re-start system, connect CSC connect, go to passport link. IP
mapping of both systems required in passport service. If still not working, use other net
connection then try.

Q18. What is the Fee structure for passport service through CSC?

Rs.100/- will through CSC wallet and actual passport fees will be paid through NET
Banking, debit or credit card

Q19. What is the validity of Fee?

Payment will remain valid for one year from the date the payment has been made. If you

Have booked appointment, then the validity of fee will be one year from first appointment date .

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Q20. How can I get Refund My payment?

Payment once made for availing passport Service will not be refunded, If the payment
is successfully done, Please do not Pay again.

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