🇮🇳 India • Travel Document
Updated: July 2026

New Passport Application

Guide for Indian citizens applying for a fresh passport via Passport Seva Kendra under the latest rules.

Time
7 - 15 Days (Normal) / 1 - 3 Days (Tatkaal)
Cost
INR 1,500 (Normal) / INR 3,500 (Tatkaal)
Difficulty
Moderate
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Overview

Passport applications in India are managed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Under the latest July 2026 guidelines, applicants are highly encouraged to link and upload their documents via DigiLocker during the online application on the Passport Seva portal. Sharing documents through DigiLocker eliminates the need to carry physical originals for those specific documents to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK/POPSK), speeding up Counter A processing significantly.

1Step-by-Step Instructions

Passport Office Jurisdiction

Select the passport office based on your current residential address, even if your permanent address is in a different state.

Avoid These Mistakes
  • Selecting permanent hometown office while residing in a different metro city

DigiLocker Document Share

Give consent to pull your Aadhaar card, 10th marksheet, and driving license from DigiLocker.

Avoid These Mistakes
  • Declining consent (requires manual scanning of physical documents, increasing wait times at PSK)
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2Document Checklist

Required Documents

0 of 4 ready

Why Applications Get Rejected

01

Current Address Discrepancy

Not living at the current address filled in the form during police verification.

02

Name spelling mismatch

Name on Aadhaar differs from 10th mark sheet and no Gazette notification is provided.

03

Undeclared Court Cases

Failing to disclose pending criminal cases or active court proceedings on the application form.

3Appointment & Visit

Online Submission & DigiLocker Sync

Register on Passport Seva portal, fill details, link DigiLocker, and submit.

Fee Payment & Slot Booking

Pay online (INR 1,500 for Normal) and book your PSK visit slot.

PSK Physical Visit

Visit the booked PSK. Pass through Counter A (document scan/biometrics), Counter B (verification), and Counter C (granting officer).

mPassport Police Verification

Local police officer will visit your current residence to verify your identity. Done digitally using tablets for 24-48 hour clearance.

Speed Post Dispatch

Your passport is printed and mailed directly to your current address via Speed Post.

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Common Questions

Q. Is Police Verification mandatory for Tatkaal passports?

For Tatkaal passports, police verification is usually done after the passport is issued and dispatched (Post-Verification), enabling you to receive the passport in 1 to 3 days.

Q. Do I need to carry original physical documents to PSK if I uploaded via DigiLocker?

No, if you successfully pull and verify documents (like Aadhaar, 10th marksheet) via DigiLocker, you do not need to carry physical originals of those specific documents to the PSK. However, carrying backup copies is recommended.

Q. Can I use a student hostel or rented flat as my current address?

Yes, you can apply from any address in India. You must provide a valid tenancy agreement, hosteller certificate from the warden, or active bank statements as proof of staying there for the last year.

Q. How many times can I reschedule my passport appointment?

You are allowed to reschedule your booked PSK appointment a maximum of 3 times within 12 months from your initial registration date.