Find Passport Seva Kendras Near You

What is a Passport?

A passport is an official travel document issued by the Government of India that certifies the identity and nationality of an Indian citizen for international travel.

Indian passports are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through the Passport Seva Program.

A passport is required for:

• International travel
• Visa applications
• Identity verification abroad
• Proof of citizenship
• Government documentation

India currently operates hundreds of passport service centers to provide passport-related services efficiently.

Types of Passport Offices in India

Regional Passport Office (RPO)

Regional Passport Offices are the main administrative passport authorities in each region.

Responsibilities:

• Passport approval and issuance
• Police verification coordination
• Handling complex passport cases
• Supervising Passport Seva Kendras

There are 37 Regional Passport Offices across India. Services usually require prior appointment or official requests.

Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

Passport Seva Kendras are the primary passport application processing centers where citizens visit for passport services.

Services available:

• New passport application
• Passport renewal
• Document verification
• Biometric capture
• Police verification processing

PSKs are operated under the Passport Seva Project in partnership with TCS and the Government of India.

Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)

Post Office Passport Seva Kendras operate inside India Post offices to improve accessibility. These centers offer the same passport application services as PSK but are located in smaller cities and districts.

India has 400+ POPSK centers across the country.

Mobile Passport Seva Vans

Mobile Passport Seva Vans bring passport services to remote and underserved areas. These vans are deployed in:

• Rural areas
• Remote districts
• Areas without permanent PSK centers

Services available through mobile vans include:

• Passport application acceptance
• Document verification
• Biometric capture
• Application processing

Mobile vans operate on scheduled visits announced by local authorities.

Types of Passports in India

India issues several types of passports.

• Ordinary Passport (Blue) — Issued to general Indian citizens for tourism, business travel, and education abroad. Most applicants receive this passport.
• Diplomatic Passport (Maroon) — Issued to Indian diplomats, senior government officials, and members of diplomatic missions. These passports provide diplomatic privileges and protections.
• Official Passport (White) — Issued to government officials traveling abroad for official duties.

Passport Services Available

Citizens can apply for a variety of passport services.

• New Passport — First-time applicants can apply for a fresh passport.
• Passport Renewal / Re-issue — A passport can be renewed in case of expiry, damage, lost passport, or change of personal details.
• Tatkaal Passport Service — Tatkaal service provides fast-track passport issuance. Processing time is typically 1–3 days after verification. Additional Tatkaal fees apply.
• Passport for Minors — Children below 18 years can apply for a minor passport. Minor passports usually have shorter validity periods.
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) — Required for employment abroad, immigration, and long-term visas. PCC applications can be processed through PSK/POPSK.
• Lost or Damaged Passport Replacement — Apply for re-issue in case of loss or damage.
• Change of Personal Details — Update name, address, or other details in the passport.
• Passport Status Tracking — Track application status online.

Passport Application Process

The typical passport application process involves the following steps:

1. Submit passport application online
2. Pay application fee
3. Schedule appointment
4. Visit Passport Seva Kendra
5. Document verification and biometrics
6. Police verification
7. Passport printing and dispatch

Applicants can track their application status online.

Passport Fees

Passport fees depend on age of applicant, number of pages, and normal or Tatkaal processing. Typical fees (subject to government changes):

Passport Office Timings

Typical Passport Seva Kendra timings:

Exact timings may vary by location.

Passport Delivery Time

Processing time depends on service type.

Delivery timelines may vary depending on police verification and document checks.

Services Available at Passport Centers

Most Passport Seva Kendras offer:

• Passport application processing
• Document verification
• Biometric enrollment
• Application tracking assistance
• Passport renewal services
• Police clearance certificates
• Lost passport replacement

Important Documents Required for Passport

Applicants typically need:

• Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Utility bills, Bank statement
• Date of Birth Proof: Birth certificate, School certificate

Additional documents may be required depending on the application type.

Passport Tracking

Applicants can track passport status using:

• Application number
• Date of birth

Tracking helps monitor application status, police verification, and passport dispatch. Use the official Passport Seva portal for status tracking.

Official Passport Authority

Passport services in India are managed by:

Ministry of External Affairs
Government of India

Passport services are delivered through the Passport Seva Program.