Passport Appointment Booking

Every PSK there will be some schedule at what time the database will be open for passport appointment booking. E.g. for PSK Surat it is 1 PM every day. You cannot try before that. Otherwise you will get a message same in the screen. Now if try from 1 PM time and able to view the next screen, then you can see the available slots. Simply you can click on a slot and further proceed for booking passport appointment.

 But the thing is not so easy. As many people try at the same time, so the database responds to them only who has a high speed or High Speed Broadband internet. For a general internet speed you might  not reach to that screen, but by the time you click and book a slot, some will finish the booking itself. So practically there is no such trick to get an appointment booking. But we have couple of choices or alternatives to get an appointment booked. Let's check them and try to find out whether they are useful or not.

    

 First thing you can do is to take high speed internet connection. If you don't have that or you cannot replace your existing one then find out among your friends. It will be a just 5 min task.

    

Always keep trying to log in before 5 min of actual time. Keep trying, although you will get the message. Because everyone will do the same

.   

 If you are able to book a passport appointment, then in the next screen you have to fill up the captcha or verification letters. Don't be in hurry, fill it up very carefully. Remember if you miss a single word, then you will not get a chance to come back again. You have to try next day.

New Online Passport Appointment Booking Process

The Online Passport Appointment Booking process has been changed from today 1st June. Now government has introduced the online payment gateway. One must have to make the payment before the slot booking. But this service is started only in Dehradun till now. But before starting of online payment appointment booking process in all the PSKs has been changed. Step by step online payment has been made mandatory for booking appointment for all the PSK. In this process slots has been allotted automatically by the system according to the availability of the slots. This process will be in a testing mode starting and testing in the Dehradun RPO. There are some new rules has been introduced after the conversion of the whole process. An applicant will be able to cancel/reschedule the appointment  only  twice  within one year of first date. System will not allow booking of online passport appointment booking for that ARN once two reschedule options are exercised or first date was scheduled more than one year ago. The online Passport Appointment Booking process has been changed by Indian Government on 1st June. But this change was bad compare to the old one because it is very harassing. This time government has made the online payment mandatory for passport application. This change was first come in effect on 1st June as a testing mode in Deharadun and on 21st June most of the Psk started the online Payment as well as challan payment method. This change was done due to the non availability of the passport appointment. I want to congratulates Ministry of external affairs for this step because due to this step the non visiting to kendra was reduce so Psk will efficiently use their full capacity. With the launch of online payment based appointment booking process now applicants will be required to make payment at the time of booking appointment on the government's website. This was a great change but the appointment booking process is completely hell like. When the online appointment booking process come to effect first they shows the Appointment date and time, and every Psk having their own rules of the slots opening timing. Every person was able to decide whether they want to choose this date or not. But in the new process server will automatically allot the date and time. Even they will get allotted appointment of the next day compare to the older system no one will allotted the appointment of the next day. Compare to the older system here is no way to book appointment according to our convenient date and time. And now the appointment taking  So this is the most worst step which was taken by Indian Government.
Now I am going to explain the full process of New Passport Appointment Booking System.

According to the new process one must have to make payment prior to the manage appointment. There is two way to make payment Online payment using Debit/Credit card and Internet Banking and Challan Payment.Now I am going to describe the process of Online Passport Appointment Booking

Step by step guide on New Passport Appointment Booking Process (PSKs with Online Payment is NOT Mandatory) :

The account create process is still the same. Only the online passport appointment booking Process has been changed so I will guide you the whole process of getting the slot.

1. Login to http://www.passportindia.gov.in and click view saved/submitted form.
   
2. Next select the ARN for whick you seeking slot booking and click Schedule Appointment.
   
3. In next step you will get a screen written "you have not taken an appointment" You have to click Next there.
   
4. In this step you have to select your preffered PSK enter the captcha code and then click next.
   
5. In this step you will come to know the date of your appointment booking. You will not able to select the slot timing. That will system generated.
   

  6. This is the Passport Appointment Booking confirmation screen. Here you will get the appointment time and ID.

This is the whole process of getting the slot in the new process without online payment.

Process for PSKs where Online Payment is Mandatory for Passport Appointment Booking

Advance payment of passport application is started in some of the PSK in India. And all the other remaining PSK will start step by step.

The accepted Online Payment mode are as follows

1.  Internet Banking (through SBI and associate bank accounts only)
2. Debit Card and Credit Card (Visa and MasterCard only)
3. Challan Payment Mode: Bank Challan (payable at SBI branches in India only)

Steps to follow for the payment through Internet Banking.

• Register to Passport Seva portal and Login.
• Submit your online Form and generate ARN.
• You have to follow the steps 1 to 5 as the same steps you followed in PSKs with Online Payment is NOT Mandatory.
• After that you have to Pay the Charge and click book the Appointment. You will get redirect to SBI’s Multi Option Payment System (MOPS) website. (Note: You will get redirect only at the slot open timing).
• Here click NET BANKING as the preferred mode of payment by selecting SBI or any other SBI associate bank listed. Now login with your Internet Banking ID and Password to make online payment.
• When payment is successful you will redirect to the passport seva online portal.
• After Successful Payment you will see the The Appointment Confirmation screen and you will get you appointment no also.

Steps to follow for the payment through Credit/Debit Card

• Register to Passport Seva portal and Login.
• Submit your online Form and generate ARN.
• You have to follow the steps 1 to 5 as the same steps you followed in PSKs with Online Payment is NOT Mandatory.
• After that you have to Pay the Charge and click book the Appointment. You will get redirect to SBI’s Multi Option Payment System (MOPS) website. (Note: You will get redirect only at the slot open timing).
• Here click CARD PAYMENT as your payment term and select your desired Credit/Debit Card.
• Now you will redirect to the Payment Gateway, enter your card details carefully.
• And after confirmation of successful payment you will redirect to passport website and get your appointment details.

Steps to follow for the payment through Challan.

There is one new payment option is added by the passport authorities which is known as Challan Payment Option. This service is currently available for SBI bank only. This challan is system generated. You have to pay the passport application charge in the SBI bank along with the challan. Payment will be reflected atleast after 2 days of payment. Passport Appointment Booking process will be continued only after the "SUCCESS" payment status in the system.

Process of payment through Challan.

• Register to Passport Seva portal and Login.
• Submit your online Form and generate ARN.
• Now select the ARN for which you want to book Appointment. and then click pay using Challan link below.
• Now click on the Generate Challan button to automatically generate an Challan.
• Print the challan and deposite the passport application fee to the nearest SBI bank. You will provided Transaction ID by the bank officials along with the payment acceptance challan.
• After the payment it will take atleast 2 working days to reflect to your passport portal.
• After the confirmation just follow the steps 1 to 5 as the same steps you followed in PSKs with Online Payment is NOT Mandatory

How to cancel and Reschedule Online Passport Appointment Booking.

• Click the Schedule Appointment link on the View Saved/Submitted Applications screen.
• Click the Reschedule/Cancel Appointment button.
• In next screen you will see reschedule/cancel attempts left.
• After selecting your preferred PSK enter CAPTCHA and click next.
• According to the availability you will see the slot date, Now click Book Appointment and your slot get booked and previous slot gets automatically cancelled.

OK. Now that I have the passport with me, I thought I also have to recording my learning for posterity. Four visits to the passport office and I know a thing or two.

The Indian government Passport Management System works (It is the software that handles passport processing data). So be humble about your opinion on the sarkari processes… you just need to know how to get your work done in this vast government machinery. Which is what this blog is about. 24 simple tips that you won’t get in the official website or in any consumer complaint websites.

1. Take time to fill the form carefully, honestly and neatly. If you have any queries, check. Be sure that you will be caught for any mistake coz the Indian government Passport Management System works. Check out the link for the various mistakes that can be addressed with a penalty at http://passport.gov.in/cpv/penalty.htm . Make sure you don’t commit those mistakes.

2. You need to take a token to submit the passport application form. Online application is available for certain cities where you can book an online appointment management (date and time) and so skip the token procedure completely. That would help you skip the standing in the token queue (See more on queues under the Queues sub section). Check out the cities with the Online registration option on https://passport.gov.in/pms/Information.jsp .

3. Keep the receipt safely till you get your passport.

If you are reading this blog then chances are that you haven’t got your passport for some reason that you don’t know. And you are figuring out just what to do.

Passport status

4. Passport status can be checked on the website http://passport.gov.in/  or http://passportstatus.nic.in/ .

5. The message in the status will not tell you what is wrong exactly which is when you would feel lost and helpless and curse the ‘system’. Fretting wont help you. Nor will the person lending you a sympathetic ear. Read on…

Email queries

6. Email to grv.jscpv@mea.gov.in  would get you a response but not a detailed one. You can visit your cities passport office home page too for some email Ids and phone numbers. But it wont help.

Visit the RPO

7. The only way to move your file is to visit the RPO. Chances are that you will have to visit the RPO a few times before anything happens.


8. In Delhi, the RPO’s don’t meet any visitors on wednesday. Check which day is applicable for your city.


9. In the Delhi passport office, RPO for Tatkaal sits in the ground floor and the RPO of the general category sits on the first floor. Don’t expect a swanky office space. Your tax may not really have been put to great use. The office is dusty and congested. Be prepared.


10. People around will complain about how sarkari the place is etc etc etc etc etc etc… etc. Don’t bother to contribute. It will only exhaust you in the already stuffy place and make you irritable. That won’t help when the RPO asks you to visit again and the thought of all the queues, travel and leave from office engulf you. Expect the worst. Smile, say OK and never question the RPO.


Queues!!

11. You don’t need to take a token to visit the RPO if you have already applied for the passport. But you need to show the receipt of the payment made for the passport application. So the token queue can be skipped.


12. If you are in Delhi, then this is the timing for the queue:

a. Token queue starts at 9.30 am. If you need a token then be there by 8.45 am coz by then the queue starts building up.

b. The entry to the building starts at 10:00 am and once the entry starts, the queue moves smoothly. If you want to meet the Tatkal RPO or if you have schedule an online appointment there is no need to come before 10:00.

c. If you want to meet the RPO in the general category, then you could come by 9.30 am to be slightly ahead in the queue.


13. Don’t try to jump the queue. Especially the one outside the RPO’s office! You can’t use gender, age and other sympathy generators. No one will help you. So don’t expect any help. (By the way, Senior citizens can skip the main entrance queue but only their spouses can accompany them. Don’t call in on your ageing parents or grandparents just to skip the queue! The Indian Government is ahead of you on this one. There is a notice right outside with this message).

14. The officials come in only after 10:30 am and most by 11:00 am. So you cannot really avoid the waiting part.

15. Once the officials are there the queues move forward fairly quickly.

16. You maybe asked to stand in another queue if you have to pay a fine or get some document checked. Bear it with a smile.


What to carry in all your follow up visits to the passport office (This should save you another trip or two to the passport office)

17. Carry 4 sets of personal particulars form (or PP form). You might need 2 or 3 but why take a chance.

18. Passport size photographs. To be safe carry the same version as in your application form.

19. A few blank pages incase you are asked to submit any application

20. Stationary – Pen, Glue stick, stapler etc

21. Originals and photocopy of the various documents that you are/were required to submit with your passport application.


RTI (Right to information)

22. If nothing works, you can try RTI. The common man has no clue how RTI works, so here is my contribution – Just write a letter to the PIO (Public Information Officer) of the department requesting for the information you seek along with a Rs 10.00 postal money order. Send the letter via speedpost and keep the receipt. You can get the address of the PIO of the concerned passport office at http://passport.gov.in/cpv/RTI.htm .

23. You can followup with an email to uscpvrti@mea.gov.in if you wish.


Bribing

24. Don’t even think about it! (I did not think of it either). The Indian government Passport Management System works. And you should go through the procedure.


To repeat myself yet again - the Indian government Passport Management System works. You just need to figure out what to do. And no, there are no shortcuts. If you did not get your passport for whatever reason and regardless of whether it was your fault or not, you have to go through the government procedure And yes, it is just like the television serial Office-Office. Grin and bear and you will receive your passport - finally.

Guidlines for online registration for passport.

1. Eligible Applicants can do online registration for applying for Passport.
2. Use Crome Browser for doing Online Registration as it is the fastest.
3. Don’t use Special characters while entering details in the Online Registration form.
4. The Dates can be entered as per the format given in the website (DD/MM/YYYY).
5. As all the details are filled in press “SAVE” to get the ARN number, Date and time of Appointment and also the provision to take the print outs of the Application Form.
6. Note: Pl note that the data once registered cannot be modified, so ensure that you are entering the correct data while doing Online Registration.
7. In case if you have registered wrong data, you have to register again with the correct details and get the print outs with fresh ARN numbers.
8. There are still some columns in the application form which you will have to fill by hand. You will have to visit the concerned mission to submit the completed application form along with fee, supporting documents such as date of birth certificate etc. on the appointed day and time. The date and time of passport appointment at the Mission will be informed by the on-line system and will also be printed on the application form.

Prepare One more post include this

Passport Seva enables simple, efficient and transparent processes for delivery of passport appointment related services.
Apart from creating a countrywide networked environment for Government officials, it aims to integrate with the state police for physical verification of applicant’s particulars and antecedents and with India Post for delivery. Key aspects of the service transformation achieved by PSP are as follows :

Increased Network : As extended arms of 37 RPO, 77 PSK and 16 PSLK are being established across the country as part of Passport Seva.

Anywhere Anytime Access : Citizens can submit their passport applications and seek an appointment online through the web portal at their convenience. The portal provides comprehensive and latest information on all passport appointment and related services. Citizens can plan their visit to the nearest PSK by the  appointment online date/time, thus avoiding long queues and inconvenience.

State of the Art Technology Infrastructure : Seva is supported by state-of-the-art technology infrastructure which enables end-to-end services to be delivered with enhanced security comparable to the best in the world. The photograph and bio-metrics of the applicants are captured when they visit the PSK. Their passport applications and supporting documents are digitized and stored in the system for further processing.

Improved Amenities : The PSK provides a world class ambience. Amenities in every PSK include helpful guides, information kiosks, photocopying, food and beverage facilities, public phone booth, baby care, newspapers and journals and television in a comfortable air-conditioned waiting lounge. The Electronic Queue Management System ensures the ‘first-in-first-out’ principle in application processing.

Call Centre & Helpdesk : A multi-lingual call centre operating in 17 Indian languages enables citizens to obtain passport service related information and receive updates about their application status, round the clock, seven days a week. An e-mail based help desk also provides information on services.

Integration with Police and India Post : The PSP network connects with the State Police across all the states and union territories. The applicant’s data is sent electronically for police verification. PSP also provides an interface to India Post for tracking delivery of passport to citizens.

Every PSK there will be some schedule at what time the database will be open for passport appointment booking. E.g. for PSK Surat it is 1 PM every day. You cannot try before that. Otherwise you will get a message same in the screen. Now if try from 1 PM time and able to view the next screen, then you can see the available slots. Simply you can click on a slot and further proceed for booking passport appointment.

 But the thing is not so easy. As many people try at the same time, so the database responds to them only who has a high speed or High Speed Broadband internet. For a general internet speed you might  not reach to that screen, but by the time you click and book a slot, some will finish the booking itself. So practically there is no such trick to get an appointment booking. But we have couple of choices or alternatives to get an appointment booked. Let's check them and try to find out whether they are useful or not.

    

 First thing you can do is to take high speed internet connection. If you don't have that or you cannot replace your existing one then find out among your friends. It will be a just 5 min task.

    

Always keep trying to log in before 5 min of actual time. Keep trying, although you will get the message. Because everyone will do the same

.   

 If you are able to book a passport appointment, then in the next screen you have to fill up the captcha or verification letters. Don't be in hurry, fill it up very carefully. Remember if you miss a single word, then you will not get a chance to come back again. You have to try next day.

This is the post from one of our blog reader. If you feel anything apropriate please tell Us.

A day at PSK Gurgaon Delhi

Like many Indians, I too was reluctant in visiting the Delhi Passport Office to get some changes made in my and my wife's passport. I had heard all the time that work gets done only through touts and agents and that trying to get something done yourself is waste of time. Having faced similar challenges in other Govt offices, I always kept postponing my visit. When it was urgent for me to get those changes done, I started looking after agents. I could never trust promises of any agent and was reluctant in handing over my original passport to any of them. This kept delaying the process further. One early morning, while reading my newspaper, I realized that Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) is being opened in Gurgaon, Delhi and Gurgaon, Delhi people can get their passport work done from there without visiting Delhi Passport office. I thought I am lucky ans started smiling. But that smile lasted for few days only as withing 2-3 days I got reviews from that kendra in newspaper where people started complaing about facilities like no parking, no toilets, computers going down often and use of paper work as backup etc. I started going after agents again and lost few more weeks until one of my colleagues, Lalit Nagpal, shared his experiences where his application was processed within 2 hours at Passport Seva Kendra and everything was done electronically including taking his picture. This gave me some light of hope and I finally decided to go for it.

Happily I created online profile for myself and my wife. I created my application and took online appointment for a particular day and time for passport. I did the same for my wife but was disappointed when I did not get same time passport appointment for her. Her appointment was one hour later. Anyhow we decided to go together to passport office assuming they would allow us together being a couple.

We were at PSK Gurgaon, Delhi at 9:00am as per my schedule appointment letter and started struggling with parking. There was no space available and there was no public parking near by. I had to take the risk of parking on road. We showed our appointment letter to the security guard. He marked some token number on my letter but refused to do so for my wife saying he will do so after an hour. That was rude considering that both of us needed same changes and many original documents for her were shared one. Anyhow we got inside and stood in queue to get token. When my turn came, I handed over everything asked and guy issued me the token. Taking chances, I then gave my wife's documents to the person at counter and he started the process. We thought he would give us token and not us to wait. But at the end we were surprised when he said that he can issues token only after one hour. Well, I had to part away from my wife for few minutes. I handed over her documents to her and guided her how to get token while I went inside. Security man was doing great job at identifying who should be allowed to get inside and who not. As soon as I got in, I saw large screen displays with token number and corresponding counters where one should go. Mine was still not displayed. After 15 minutes, my turn came and I went to the counter. Lady at counter was very courteous and greeted me well. She completed all formalities keeping me comfortable all the time. All the documents were scanned and uploaded to my profile  She took my picture and asked me to validate all application details. She allowed me to make changes in address as per my documents. She took the fees and issued receipts. She printed application and made me sign. Everything was done in about 15 mins. She then asked me to go to another section and wait there for further instructions. I reached there and observed same pattern i.e. many counters and screen displays indicating which token at which counter. It took 30 minutes for my turn to come and only 1 minute for processing there. Then I was sent to last section where the passport officer validated my documents further and asked me to collect acknowledgement from exit gate. Throughout the process there were many people from TCS roaming around helping people who may feel lost. Overall the experience was good except for parking and not allowing my wife to go along with me. She had to get her application processed on her own with one hour lag.

Final recommendation: I give 4 star (out of 5) to PSKs and encourage everyone to use them instead of Regional Passport Office Delhi Psk Gurgaon.

How to Book Appointment to apply a Passport in India after successful application

Now It is very easy to apply for a fresh passport or reissue in India. Now one can fill Online application for fresh or reissue passport. There are several PSK opened by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

A step by step procedure is given below for applying online passport and manage appointment:

Step 1: Logon to the passport seva website : http://www.passportindia.gov.in

Step 2: Create your account by registering yourself if you are a new user: Register Here for Passport Apply

or Login to the website with you user ID and Password.: Login Here for Passport Apply

Step 3: Fill the Application Form. You can fill the application in two modes offline and online

Fill Application Offline

Download the e-form by clicking on Download e-form Link available on the left side of the home page

Save the copy of the e-form to your computer/laptop

Fill up the application e-form

After filling the e-form upload it on the link provided after login in your account.

Take a print out of the application reference number (ARN)

Fill Application Online

You can also fill the form online after login into your account at the provided link.

There are following sections there to be filled and saved step by step.

1. Passport Type

2. Applicant Details

3. Family Details

4. Present Address

5. Previous Address

6. Emergency Contact

7. References (Two References from your locality)

8. Previous Passport Details (In the case of reissue of passport)

9. Other Detials

10. Self Declaration

After filing all the details you have to save at each step and finally you can submit the application.After submiting the application take a print out of the Application Reference Number (ARN)

There is also an option to preview of application you are submitting. Read carefully before submitting it finally.

Step 4: Book an Appointment


After successful application of passport online, your next step will be manage an passport appointment 
to visit local PSK for further proceeding. But this is not as simple as it look like and how to get passport appointment is still a huge problem. Although this facility can be availed only via online, but the time for slot booking is very less and at the same time many people try to book slot, so it's not guaranteed that whether you can get an passport appointment in one attempt only. There are few passport appointment tips to manage an slot but those are also not 100% proof. Let's discuss about this and find out how to get passport appointment online.

First of all, visit passportindia website and login with your login id. Then from the first screen click on "View Saved/Submitted Applications".

Now in the next screen you can see your submitted forms details.

For security reason, I have scratched the personal details. Here you can see your application details. Next click on the "Manage Appointment" option.

Now from here click on "Create Appointment" button in the right side.

Now here you have to select the PSK location and then fill the captcha in the box. Then click on "Show Available Slots". Now from here the interesting facts starts.

For every PSK there will be some schedule at what time the database will be open for passport appointment booking. E.g. for Passport appointment Bangalore it is 6 PM every day. You cannot try before that. Otherwise you will get a message in the screen. Now if try from 6 PM time and able to view the next screen, then you can see the available slots. Simply you can click on a slot and further proceed for booking.

But the thing is not so easy. As many people try at the same time, so the database responds to them only who has a high speed or Broadband. For a general internet speed you might reach to that screen, but by the time you click and book a slot, some will finish the booking itself. So practically there is no such trick to get an passport appointment. But we have couple of choices or alternatives to get an passport appointment. Let's check them and try to find out whether they are useful or not.

• First thing you can do is to take high speed internet connection. If you don't have that or you cannot replace your existing one then find out among your friends. It will be a just 5 min task.
• Always keep trying to log in before 5 min of actual time. Keep trying, although you will get the massage. Because everyone will do the same.
• If you are able to manage a slot, then in the next screen you have to fill up the captcha or verification letters. Don't be in hurry, fill it up very carefully. Remember if you miss a single word, then you will not get a chance to come back again. You have to try next day.
•  This is the last option when you have failed after trying many times. Although this might be illegal, but it is one of the popular ways. Hire a broker. They will charge you Huge money say 800 Rs or 1000 Rs  and you have to provide your login details. They used to have a very high internet to run this business. And without any tension they will arrange an passport appointment for you. Its better rather than finding How to get passport appointment or Not able to get passport appointment.

So after implementation of technology and improving the services actually the new passport application procedure has its own drawback. And brokers are always there to take advantages of such options. Anyway you can share your experience here and let us know if there is any other better way to manage an passport appointment. Might be this is the case of every PSK locations, and I think people are facing issues. Kindly share your experiences which type of problem you are facing in your PSK.

After filling application or uploading it take a printout of ARN. Now you have to book/ schedule an appointment at PSK (Passport Sewa Kendra).

Click on Manage Appointment link to schedule an appointment by selecting date and time for visiting Passport Sewa Kendra (PSK) available for yor area.

If the time slot is available in PSK then it will display the time slot. Choose the time slot as per your convenience and finalize it and if all the time slots are full then you have to wait for the next availability. Check the message in RED and try again later.

Step 5: Print Online Appointment Receipt

After getting the appointment scheduled take a print out of Appointment Slip and visit the PSK.

Step 6: Visiting Passport Sewa Kendra (PSK)

Arrive at PSK (Passport Sewa Kendra) 15 minutes prior to the schedule an appointment time with the following documents. List of the documents to be required at PSK.

1. Application Reference Number (ARN)

2. Appointment Slip

3. Self Attested Copy of ID Proof

It can be any of following

Voter Card, Ration Card

4. Self Attested Copy of Residence Proof

5. Self Attested Copy of Date of Birth Proof (Matric Certificate, DOB Certificate)

6. Self Attested Copy of Marriage Certificate (If you are going to register your spouse name first time)

7. Old Passport

(IMP: Please take all the documents with you in original at the time of Appointment)

Since 2012 Passport Application process has been changed to online. After conversion in the process of Passport application process it seems very easy in application. The process was very successful exactly after conversion but now a days it looks failure of Ministry of external affairs. Online form fill up is very easy but Booking Passport Appointment is the most toughest job. Previously in the older application process every district has their own application submitting center but according to the new rules you have to submit your documents only to your preferred PSK. But the most good thing is that you only have to visit once to the office if your all the documents is ok. No need to stand in queue from the morning, visit exactly at your appointment time. But Online Passport Appointment Booking is a tricky part. It is not possible for everyone to get it. Even a technical person also fails to book the slot. So I am going to share Some Passport Appointment Booking Tricks.

Passport Office has now started Passport Seva Kendra which gives you a changed experience in applying for a fresh or reissue passport. It is opening in different cities of India. I live in Lucknow. I went to Passport Seva Kendra Lucknow to update my passport.

First of all I need to get an appointment from passport website http://www.passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/welcomeLink. Create a login there and then download passport application. After filling the application you can upload it or you can online fill application. Once application is filled offline or online, you can get a Application Reference Number (ARN). Then you need to take an appointment which is a very difficult task in itself. When appointment link is open (it is closed sometimes), you can try to take an appointment after 4pm everyday. The trick is that only first 700 users get an appointment and time frame is only 0-2 minutes. You have to take the appointment between 4.00 pm and 4.02 pm. First you need to match your computer clock to be accurate. Then start trying after 3.50 pm and hopefully you get an appointment.

If you got an appointment you have a appointment number. Then you will take a print out of receipt and go to passport seva kendra with all relevant documents. They were asking for one year address proof in most cases so don't forget it.

In Passport Seva Kendra, firstly you have to enter into office on your appointment time. Then all your documents were checked and a token number is allotted after waiting in the queue. If you have less documents then you will be sent back from here and you have to take next appointment. You have to pass three types of counters A, B and C before getting the acknowledgement of your application. Fee is submitted and documents were scanned at counter A. Documents checking at all counters. It will take around 2 to 3 hours for the whole process to complete. Passports were delivered after 10-15 days after this process. So, only taking appointment is a pain area. Also you can walk in without appointment but it is applied only in some cases and the walk in time is 9 to 11 am.