G
Passport
How to apply passport the new way?
Passport Seva Project
The process-
*www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/images/Process_Diagram_Latest.JPG
The Faq's
Faq
Where can you apply?
Locate PSK
What are the charges?
Charges
What are the documents required?
Documents Required
My Experience-
It was pretty simple and very transparent process.Now no need of pesky agents and paper forms.Before applying make sure you have all documents for Passport.
Basically you can apply passport in two ways - Normal and Tatkal. Tatkal is when you need passport with 7 days(including dispatch).Normal is preferred way if you don't have any urgency.The difference is that ,for tatkal scheme you need to get verification certificate from IAS,IPS (administrative )cadre officers which is not needed in Normal scheme.This is required because , in tatkal scheme , passport is issued without any police verification done(Trusting the certificate for your background).For tatkal you also need a Annexure(I) from a lawyer notarized ,this can be done from any lawyer for 100rs.
Applying online
Thinking that i can get through tatkal.I logged in online site.Downloaded eform.Filled and uploaded XML.This will create a application entry in the site for our id.Now using this , i need to scheduled an appointment .
Scheduling appoint - the first hurdle
To go to PSK first you need an appointment.So the site said, this can be booked against our application only from 6pm evening.So when i logged into site 6pm.The site would crash or would be slow like irctc.After many struggles , I could finally book a slot only at around 630pm after several refresh.
By 7pm the slots are over .Damn- the population of india.
Reaching PSK
So i applied first the tatkal way though online mode(carrying fee around around 3k).I scheduled an appointed and went to a Begumpet PSK in Hyderabad.I was sure i would get through as i got verification certificate from some gazetted officer.But on reaching PSK ,i was rejected token by these TCS guys who sit in there as executives stating i need to get it from IPS or IAS officer and not from research organization after inquiring from govt officials inside.(The organization issued it was not eligible). I tried to convince , but he told that even if he issue , i would get rejected.So please remember anyone going for tatkal scheme, just get this certificate through some agent or strictly from IAS, IPS and a xerox of the id card card of officer issuing it.They also gave me an option that, the appointment is valid for 3 days and if i can get a verification certificate and can go within those 3 days inside.Hmm so i ditched this , as i don't want to waste money to get verification certificate.
Went the normal way
So i had only now option of normal scheme.So then it was back to booking slot.Again booked a slot.Went to the same PSK another day.The security will allow us about 15mins before the appointment time for entry.
They asked only 3 things - Birth certificate ,Voter id and Tenth originals and xeroxes.Please make sure you carry a file and pen for these that is comfortable to show take them out and show frequently as it is asked about 4 times throughout the process.Make sure the address proof is at least 2 years old.
After that , i felt relived when they issued tokens after some questions.
The waiting stage
I now entered a new room, called waiting room.There was no place to sit.But was air conditioned room and was neat.People here wait for their token number chance to be called in.A lcd tv will show the current token number who has to come in.The place was ok, you have a xerox service inside,washrooms and an guy selling tea,coffee,and snacks.I had to wait around three hours here.I was standing around 1 hour and got seat for rest two hours.Then i got my number displayed on the lcd.The whole scene was like some kind of engineering counseling going on.Any way i moved into next stage after three hours!
The processing stage
Here again you have rows of tcs executives sitting and calling in your token number.They basically would would be like customer care guys.Except have a scanner and a monitor we can see details being entered.They would verify our details and ask for confirmation of name and address in the web app.Then they would take a photo though webcam and ask for feedback.Finally they take our original documents and scan it and upload.Atlast pay the money they ask.For me as i applied 60pages , fees is 1.5k.Then we need to go to another waiting stage for our token number called for verification.This would be another 15 mins waiting based on speed of govt babus.
Verification stage
When you get your token no displayed.You will be called by a verification officer (govt babu).These ppl check the details on the pc and see our originals and will approve it.If everything goes well, we will be told to go to granting officer waiting place.
Granting zone
We need to wait around 5 mins.Then Granting officer or APO will call us though token display.Go to that guy, he may ask some questions.Be patient and cool.Finally the APO granted be the Passport.I was like thank god.Then we need to go home
Acknowledgement
Before going out, we have a small queue for acknowledgement collection.After collecting , we can exit the PSK.
Overall if felt a good job done by tcs.The are very helpful right from token to granting for any queries.I got in normal mode in 1.5k(60 pages) and will cost 1k in case applied for 36pages.
Police verification
This is the twist.Here only money works.After around 40days after being granted passport, the police guy came from some special branch.This guy would first will call us for availability and come home.He came at around 10am after calling.He was pretty strict.I kept him 500 rs ready in a cover in case he asks as i didn't want passport to be delayed by this.He asked for my originals, thumb impression and signatures from two references people which we had give in the online form.After all questions, he finally went away without any signals to give money.I said thanks without giving money.He said - what would thanks give me and left .As i needed passport urgently, i rushed to him with the money cover and gave him saying forgot that.He laughingly asked , whats the cover and opened to see 500rs i kept.He said thanks and assured that i will get passport reaching home in another 20 days.He asked why i didn't apply tatkal.i said i didn't knew any IPS officer to get verification certificate.He said, it will be issued if we go to their offices by giving some request .I didn't knew about this. Anyway, i asked him to pass this though.He said , don't worry it will be done in 20 days and dispatched by speed post.
As said i got passport around 20days after verification was complete by speedpost.A sms containing ems tracking no and passport number is sent 2 days prior dispatch.Its better to.stay at home.and collect the passport personally om day of receiving as a sign is required.Or write a letter to delegate your family member to.collect it ,which need to be given to postman.
So totally took 2 months in normal mode of passport.
I hope my experience is useful for ppl applying passport
Visa
Will be updated soon
How to apply passport the new way?
Passport Seva Project
The process-
*www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/images/Process_Diagram_Latest.JPG
The Faq's
Faq
Where can you apply?
Locate PSK
What are the charges?
Charges
What are the documents required?
Documents Required
My Experience-
It was pretty simple and very transparent process.Now no need of pesky agents and paper forms.Before applying make sure you have all documents for Passport.
Basically you can apply passport in two ways - Normal and Tatkal. Tatkal is when you need passport with 7 days(including dispatch).Normal is preferred way if you don't have any urgency.The difference is that ,for tatkal scheme you need to get verification certificate from IAS,IPS (administrative )cadre officers which is not needed in Normal scheme.This is required because , in tatkal scheme , passport is issued without any police verification done(Trusting the certificate for your background).For tatkal you also need a Annexure(I) from a lawyer notarized ,this can be done from any lawyer for 100rs.
Applying online
Thinking that i can get through tatkal.I logged in online site.Downloaded eform.Filled and uploaded XML.This will create a application entry in the site for our id.Now using this , i need to scheduled an appointment .
Scheduling appoint - the first hurdle
To go to PSK first you need an appointment.So the site said, this can be booked against our application only from 6pm evening.So when i logged into site 6pm.The site would crash or would be slow like irctc.After many struggles , I could finally book a slot only at around 630pm after several refresh.
By 7pm the slots are over .Damn- the population of india.
Reaching PSK
So i applied first the tatkal way though online mode(carrying fee around around 3k).I scheduled an appointed and went to a Begumpet PSK in Hyderabad.I was sure i would get through as i got verification certificate from some gazetted officer.But on reaching PSK ,i was rejected token by these TCS guys who sit in there as executives stating i need to get it from IPS or IAS officer and not from research organization after inquiring from govt officials inside.(The organization issued it was not eligible). I tried to convince , but he told that even if he issue , i would get rejected.So please remember anyone going for tatkal scheme, just get this certificate through some agent or strictly from IAS, IPS and a xerox of the id card card of officer issuing it.They also gave me an option that, the appointment is valid for 3 days and if i can get a verification certificate and can go within those 3 days inside.Hmm so i ditched this , as i don't want to waste money to get verification certificate.
Went the normal way
So i had only now option of normal scheme.So then it was back to booking slot.Again booked a slot.Went to the same PSK another day.The security will allow us about 15mins before the appointment time for entry.
They asked only 3 things - Birth certificate ,Voter id and Tenth originals and xeroxes.Please make sure you carry a file and pen for these that is comfortable to show take them out and show frequently as it is asked about 4 times throughout the process.Make sure the address proof is at least 2 years old.
After that , i felt relived when they issued tokens after some questions.
The waiting stage
I now entered a new room, called waiting room.There was no place to sit.But was air conditioned room and was neat.People here wait for their token number chance to be called in.A lcd tv will show the current token number who has to come in.The place was ok, you have a xerox service inside,washrooms and an guy selling tea,coffee,and snacks.I had to wait around three hours here.I was standing around 1 hour and got seat for rest two hours.Then i got my number displayed on the lcd.The whole scene was like some kind of engineering counseling going on.Any way i moved into next stage after three hours!
The processing stage
Here again you have rows of tcs executives sitting and calling in your token number.They basically would would be like customer care guys.Except have a scanner and a monitor we can see details being entered.They would verify our details and ask for confirmation of name and address in the web app.Then they would take a photo though webcam and ask for feedback.Finally they take our original documents and scan it and upload.Atlast pay the money they ask.For me as i applied 60pages , fees is 1.5k.Then we need to go to another waiting stage for our token number called for verification.This would be another 15 mins waiting based on speed of govt babus.
Verification stage
When you get your token no displayed.You will be called by a verification officer (govt babu).These ppl check the details on the pc and see our originals and will approve it.If everything goes well, we will be told to go to granting officer waiting place.
Granting zone
We need to wait around 5 mins.Then Granting officer or APO will call us though token display.Go to that guy, he may ask some questions.Be patient and cool.Finally the APO granted be the Passport.I was like thank god.Then we need to go home
Acknowledgement
Before going out, we have a small queue for acknowledgement collection.After collecting , we can exit the PSK.
Overall if felt a good job done by tcs.The are very helpful right from token to granting for any queries.I got in normal mode in 1.5k(60 pages) and will cost 1k in case applied for 36pages.
Police verification
This is the twist.Here only money works.After around 40days after being granted passport, the police guy came from some special branch.This guy would first will call us for availability and come home.He came at around 10am after calling.He was pretty strict.I kept him 500 rs ready in a cover in case he asks as i didn't want passport to be delayed by this.He asked for my originals, thumb impression and signatures from two references people which we had give in the online form.After all questions, he finally went away without any signals to give money.I said thanks without giving money.He said - what would thanks give me and left .As i needed passport urgently, i rushed to him with the money cover and gave him saying forgot that.He laughingly asked , whats the cover and opened to see 500rs i kept.He said thanks and assured that i will get passport reaching home in another 20 days.He asked why i didn't apply tatkal.i said i didn't knew any IPS officer to get verification certificate.He said, it will be issued if we go to their offices by giving some request .I didn't knew about this. Anyway, i asked him to pass this though.He said , don't worry it will be done in 20 days and dispatched by speed post.
As said i got passport around 20days after verification was complete by speedpost.A sms containing ems tracking no and passport number is sent 2 days prior dispatch.Its better to.stay at home.and collect the passport personally om day of receiving as a sign is required.Or write a letter to delegate your family member to.collect it ,which need to be given to postman.
So totally took 2 months in normal mode of passport.
I hope my experience is useful for ppl applying passport
Visa
Will be updated soon
