Carrying a passport is compulsory if you want to travel abroad. In India, when it comes to the eligibility for applying for a passport, applicants must have completed 18 years of age and must be a citizen of India. The validity of a passport is 10 years, and it needs to be renewed before expiration.

Applicants who want to renew their passport need to book an appointment and complete the formalities such as remitting the payment on the Passport Seva website. However, to finish the formalities they have to visit the regional passport office. There are some steps you have to follow in order to renew your passport online.

1. Visit www.passportindia.gov.in, Passport Seva, the online portal responsible for the issuance of Passports to Indian Citizens
2. Register for the renewal of passport on the portal
3. Now fill up the application form for the renewal of passport
4. Next, click on the option, ‘Schedule Appointment’ to book an appointment as per your availability
5. Finally, visit your regional passport centre, carrying the required documents on the scheduled date and time.

Here are some common FAQs that any passport applicant may have about renewing the passport 

1. Can my Indian passport be renewed before its actual expiry date?

Any Indian passport can be renewed a year before its expiry or after three years since it has expired.

2. Is police verification a must for renewal of passport in India?

Yes, police verification is mandatory for the renewal of passports in India

3. What happens to the status of your old Indian passport once it is renewed?

Once your previous Indian passport is renewed, it will be stamped as ‘cancelled’ and handed over to you along with the new passport. While doing this, you will be asked to submit your old passport for processing, alongside other supporting documents.

4. Am I supposed to carry my photograph for passport renewal?

No, it is not required now to submit your photo, but passport officials click photos of applicants at the passport office. 

5. Can my passport be renewed anywhere in India?

The Government of India has announced that an Indian passport can be applied for renewal anywhere in India no matter where the applicant is currently put up.  An application can select any Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) or Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and RPO (Regional Passport Office) for submitting the application for passport renewal.

Talk to us if you need any clarifications regarding the process of any passport service in India.