BeInCareer • Govt Services Guide

2026 Updated • Mobile-first • Step-by-step

How to Apply Passport in India – Complete Step-by-Step Guide, Rejection Reasons & Common Doubts (2026 Updated)

Online application • PSK/POPSK appointment • Police verification • Normal/Tatkal • FAQs

Best for first-time applicants

Rejection reasons explained

Police verification doubts cleared

Normal vs Tatkal clarity

Note: Rules, fees and timelines can change. Always confirm final fee/timeline on the official Passport Seva portal before paying.

Quick Navigation

Snapshot Passport Types Step-by-Step Documents Timeline Common Mistakes Rejection Police Verification Students FAQ

What this guide covers (important)

Applying for a passport in India is mostly online now, but many applicants still face delays due to small mistakes: spelling errors, address mismatch, wrong document selection, and missing police verification readiness. This guide explains the complete passport application process (Normal/Tatkal), documents required, PSK steps, police verification, rejection reasons, and FAQs for first-time applicants.

Quick Snapshot (Save this checklist)

Stage	What You Do	What PSK/Police Checks	Pro Tip
1) Register	Create account on Passport Seva	Email/mobile verification	Use active email you check daily
2) Fill Form	Fresh/Re-issue + personal/address details	Data consistency with documents	Match name/DOB exactly
3) Pay & Book	Pay online and book PSK/POPSK slot	Appointment + fee confirmation	Book earliest slot possible
4) PSK Visit	Documents + biometrics + officer approval	Originals, photocopies, eligibility	Carry extra proofs as backup
5) Police Verification	Be available, show originals, respond fast	Address + identity + background	Keep neighbors/family informed

Tip: On mobile, swipe the table left-right.

Types of Passports in India

1) Ordinary Passport (Blue)

Issued to general citizens. Validity usually 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors.

2) Official Passport (White)

Issued to government officials traveling on official duty.

3) Diplomatic Passport (Maroon)

Issued to diplomats and eligible high-ranking officials.

Most applicants apply for the Ordinary Passport.

Step 1

Create account on Passport Seva portal

View

Register with your email ID and mobile number. Use an email address you check regularly because PSK status updates and messages are important.

Step 2

Select application type (Fresh / Re-issue)

View

Fresh Passport: first-time passport
Re-issue: expired, lost, damaged, name/address change, pages exhausted
Choose Normal or Tatkal based on urgency

Step 3

Fill the passport application form carefully

View

Fill details exactly as per your documents (name, DOB, address, parent names). Small mismatches can cause delay or rejection.

Option A: Online submission

Fill and submit directly on the portal.

Option B: Offline e-Form submission

Download e-form, fill offline, upload XML file.

Step 4

Pay fees & book PSK / Post Office PSK appointment

View

After submission, pay online (UPI/card/net-banking) and book an appointment. Fees vary by page count, applicant type, and Tatkal selection. Use the portal’s fee calculator to confirm the exact fee before paying.

Indicative fee signals (commonly seen)

Fresh adult passport (36 pages, normal): ₹1,500
Tatkal (commonly total): ₹3,500
Minor passport (commonly): ₹1,000
Always validate on the official portal before payment.

Step 5

Visit PSK / POPSK (three counters)

View

Reach at least 15 minutes early. Carry originals + self-attested photocopies. At PSK, the process usually goes through:

Counter	What happens	Your responsibility
A	Document verification	Originals + correct photocopies
B	Photograph + biometrics	Cooperate and confirm details
C	Final decision/approval by officer	Answer clearly if any query

Step 6

Police verification & dispatch

View

Police verification may happen before or after issuance depending on the application category and route. Once verification is clear, the passport is printed and dispatched via Speed Post, and you can track using the reference/tracking number.

Documents Required for Passport (Simple list)

1) Proof of Identity (any one)

Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID (and other accepted IDs as per portal list).

2) Proof of Address (any one)

Aadhaar Card, Bank passbook, electricity/water bill, rent agreement (valid as per rules/conditions).

3) Proof of Date of Birth (any one)

Birth certificate, 10th class certificate, Aadhaar (as supported).

Carry these to PSK

All originals
Self-attested photocopies
Appointment receipt / reference
Extra backup documents (recommended)

How many days does it take to get a passport?

Normal passport (general expectation)

Many applicants receive it within ~15–30 days, depending on police verification and workload. Official citizen charter timelines can mention up to 30 working days for fresh issue (police verification period excluded).

Tatkal passport (urgent route)

Tatkal can be faster (often a few working days), but it depends on case type and verification requirements. Police verification can happen after issuance in some cases.

Top reasons for delay

Address mismatch or incomplete address
Applicant not available for police verification
Document selection mistakes
Name/DOB mismatch across certificates

Common passport application mistakes (avoid these)

Top mistakes that cause delays

Spelling mistake in name (especially surname expansion)
DOB mismatch between Aadhaar/10th/birth certificate
Address proof not matching the entered address
Incomplete form fields (especially previous address/parents)
Wrong document category selected during application
Signature mismatch (rare but possible)

Best practice

Before submitting, cross-check Name, DOB, Address, Parent names with your documents. If possible, take a screenshot/print of the filled details for your own verification.

What happens if passport is rejected?

First: Don’t panic

Rejection is usually due to correctable issues: mismatch, incomplete documents, or verification problems. In most cases, you can reapply after fixing the problem (new fee may apply).

Common reasons for passport rejection

Incorrect or false information in the form
Address verification failure
Incomplete/invalid documentation
Negative police verification report
Pending criminal case / legal restrictions (case-dependent)
Signature mismatch or identity mismatch
Name or DOB mismatch across documents

Can you apply again after rejection?

Yes. In most cases, you can reapply after correcting the issue (document update, address correction, details fix). If rejection is due to legal/police reasons, resolution can take longer and may require legal guidance.

Police verification doubts (clear explanation)

Will police visit home?

In many cases, yes. They verify identity/address. Sometimes they may call you to visit the station or confirm documents.

What if I am not available?

Try to be available. If you miss calls/visit, follow up quickly. Repeated non-availability can lead to delays or adverse remarks.

What documents to show police?

Keep original address proof, ID proof, and your application reference/receipt ready. Also keep any additional address proof as backup.

Passport for students (special points)

Good to know

You can use parent address (with proper proof) if you live there
Bonafide certificate can help in some contexts
Apply early if planning education abroad

Student advice

Don’t wait for the last minute before visa or admission deadlines. Keep a buffer of 30–45 days.

FAQs – Passport Application in India (2026)

1) Can I apply for passport without Aadhaar?

Yes. Aadhaar is commonly used, but alternative documents may be accepted as per the official list. Always check the portal’s latest acceptable documents.

2) Can passport be rejected after PSK approval?

Yes, rejection/hold can happen due to police verification issues, document mismatch, or additional clarification requirements.

3) Can I track passport status online?

Yes. Use your application reference number on the portal to track status and dispatch updates.

4) Can rent agreement be used as address proof?

In many cases it can be, depending on validity and format. Keep additional proofs as backup to avoid last-minute issues at PSK.

5) What should I do for faster approval?

Ensure document consistency, attend PSK with proper originals, be available for police verification, and respond quickly to calls/queries.

About BeInCareer

BeInCareer publishes verified career guidance, job updates, skill roadmaps, and helpful documentation guides for students, freshers, and working professionals.

Interlinking Articles

Add your internal links here for SEO and navigation.

How to Apply for PAN Card Online

Steps, documents, tracking

How to Correct Name/DOB in Certificates

Practical correction checklist

Top Countries for Higher Studies (Student Guide)

Timeline + documents overview