Passport is the only identity that gives you the authorization to travel through various countries of the world. In the current scenario, where lots of people are moving abroad for education,employment and tour , the importance of passport is explicable.
What is the Indian Passport?
The Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India comprises a network of 197 Indian embassies and consulates around the globe, and 593 passport offices in India that issues Indian passports to applicants. Those travelling abroad for tour, school, medical treatment, tourism, family visits or business are required to carry this document with them. As per the Passports Act of 1967, the passport certifies an individual as a citizen of India either by birth or naturalization (including marriage). Passport services are fully undertaken by the Passport and Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs’ Consular via the Central Passport Organization (CPO) and its well-interconnected passport offices in all regions of the country. Note that all the passports provided to Indian citizens are machine-readable, according to the Rules of the Indian Civil Aviation Organization.
Types of Passport
The Government of India issues three different passport types to individuals:
Ordinary Passport: Coloured blue, it is generally issued for ordinary tour & travel or business/work related trips.
Diplomatic Passport: With the cover of a diplomatic passport coloured maroon, it is issued only to high-ranking government officials or diplomatic couriers or Indian diplomats.
Official passport: In addition to the navy blue and maroon coloured passport, the Government of India also provides a passport with a white-cover to individuals that represent the Indian Government, assigned on official business.
The Government of India also had plans to introduce orange passports a couple of years back, but had to forego the plan completely due to severe backlash from several quarters. The orange passports were originally intended to be issued to citizens requiring an Emigration Check. The plan would facilitate airport checks, but among the many criticisms that the orange-jack passport received was that it could result in discrimination of the individuals who actually hold it. The orange passport was to be provided to individuals who haven’t passed their Class X exam.
Besides, in the event of an Indian travelling overseas losing his or her passport in a foreign land, the Indian Embassy in that country generally issues an Emergency Certificate using which the individual can safely travel back home.
How to apply for an Indian Passport?
Step 1: First, login to the website of the Passport Seva Portal online using the registered login credentials.
Step 2: Click the link “Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport”.
Step 3: Fill up all the mandatory fields in the form and submit.
Step 4: Click the link ”Pay and Schedule Appointment” found on the “View Saved/Submitted Applications” screen for scheduling an appointment.
Online Passport Application for NRI
This facility is provided for the convenience of all Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). NRIs are eligible for applying for a passport online at several Indian Posts or Missions. They can avail of a range of services including fresh passport, passport, new passport and children passport. You can complete the online form registration by furnishing information including the name of the mission, personal details, family details and details about previous passport. Visit the website: www.passport.gov.in/nri/ for more details.
Documents required to apply for a new passport
- Photo passbook of active bank account in any private/public sector bank and regional rural banks
- Aadhaar card
- Electricity (EB) Bill
- Voter Identity card
- Driving license
- Rental agreement
- PAN card
- Driving license
- Proof of LPG connection
- Postpaid Mobile or Landline bill
- School Leaving Certificate or Transfer Certificate (TC)
- IT Assessment order
- Certificate from employer of reputed companies in the form of a letterhead
- Birth certificate issued by the Municipality/Corporation
- Policy Bond issued by the companies holding the DOB of the insurance policy holder or
- Public Life Insurance Corporations
- Spouse’s passport copy
You may have clarifications on different topics including details on passport issuing authorities and collection centers such as MEA, CPV, DPC, SPC, CSC, PSLK, PSK, PO/RPO and Indian Missions abroad; new passport application rules in India; booking appointment for Indian Passport; new passport application rules in India and more. Please visit the website of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India for clarifications.
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