A day at Regional Passport Office (RPO) Delhi

This is the post from one of our blog reader. If you feel anything apropriate please tell us.
When we applied for re-issue of passport at PSK Gurgaon, my wife was lucky while I was not so. Her passport was granted immediately and arrived within 3 weeks while for me they put my application on hold giving no justifiable reason. Someone told because I am from Jammu & Kashmir, another person told because there is someone else who has also applied using my credentials and another person saying because my current passport was issued by Indian embassy abroad etc. Eventually I was told by the granting office at PSK that they can not process my application and I will have to visit RPO Delhi to process it further. She said I should go to Room 2 Hall 2 there. During this process lady canceled my current passport which had valid work visa to visit US. So I was now left with no passport and with my application stuck for no reasons. I asked the lady when I should visit RPO, she said after a week ensuring that my file has physically reached there. I waited for 2 weeks and one day decided to visit RPO. I started looking at Internet as to when I should reach there. While there was all help available from various blogs about Dos and Don't for visiting RPO Delhi when applying for new passport, there was no help available when one is visiting just to followup on existing application submitted at PSK. So I tried to use the Dos an Dont's of new application visitors and acted as per advise on net.

I left Gurgaon at 7:15am to reach RPO Delhi at 8:00am Sharp (No Advance Appointment schedule is required). I was told that gates open at around 10:00am and line starts getting piled up from 8:00am onwards. Upon reaching there I found parking easily as I was among first to reach there. I asked someone where is the line and he pointed me to one. I stood there for 10 mins and observed that there was another line. When I asked the person in front of me what the other line was for, he told me that line is for senior citizens and govt employees. I asked whether a person visiting RPO to followup on application also needs to stand in line, he asked me to validate with security guard who of course would show at around 9:00am. By this time both lines had around 100+ people. When security guard came he told me to stand in second queue. I started cursing my luck as when I came to RPO that line only had 20 people while now it has 100+ people. Security told me not to worry as that line moves fast. So I stood in the queue. While chatting with person i front of me in second line, I came to know that there are different rooms for different people based on where the application was submitted. Luckily guard told me a room. Door opened at sharp 10:00am and our line was allowed to get inside. People started rushing towards their rooms. I reached outside my room to find a notice their people wanting to meet PRO there should go to Room 16 on floor 2. I hurriedly went towards that room and security on they way told I am the first going towards that room. When I reached that room, person sitting inside told me that I should visit next room as system in his room is not working. Well finally I reached the room they asked me to. I waited for an hour before the PRO arrived. He first started cursing the new system from TCS saying that TCS systems are slow etc. He then asked TCS guy to locate my file in system and asked for reasons for not issuing passport. TCS guys found my records in system and told that physical file is in PRO office itself and that application was on hold as PAC (Prior Approval) is needed. When I asked PRO why PCA is needed he said it could be any of those reasons told to me at PSK Gurgaon, Delhi. I asked him to give specific reason and he refused saying he can give specific reasons only after physical file has reached his office and police report has also come. Eventually I left for home (with instructions to check his office again in 15 days for any progress).

I learnt following:

You do not need reach RPO earlier than 10:00am for followup on existing cases for PSK applications as line for this moves very fast.
Better to reach there at 11:00am as PRO comes by that time online.
You do have to force PRO for giving more information as easy conversation like by me does not help. One probably has to shout.
Park at right place only as I did find few vehicles being towed.
Don't drink too much water as I did not find a loo there.
Do stand in right queue. One on left side of gate is for fresh applications. there are two on tight sides of gates. One for followup on existing applications and another for senior citizens and govt employees for any work including fresh applications. Passport application and appointment schedule.

How to book Passport Appointment And Delhi RPO Experience

This is the post from one of our blog reader regading Scheduling Passport appointment booking Online  . If you feel anything appropriate please tell us.

From July 2, one can log into www.passportindia.gov.in 36-hours ahead of scheduled passport appointment booking date in order to increase passport appointment window availability and providing greater time period for people to apply for passport services. Source

    First  Register through the Passport Seva Portal and create a User ID. (Click on “Register” link under the Online Application Filling section on the Home Page).
    Login to the Seva Portal with the User ID created.
    Upload all the required documents  through the “Upload e-Form” link. Do not upload the PDF form at this stage as only XML file is accepted by the system.
    Click the “Manage Appointment” link on Applicant Home page to schedule an slot at your preferred PSK. You can schedule an passport appointment booking using “Manage Appointment” button. Your application must be submitted (.i.e Date of Submission should not be blank) in order to avail this facility. In case you have already taken a slot, please ensure to get your token issued (at PSK) before the scheduled time.
Click the “Print Application Receipt” link to print the application receipt containing Application Reference Number (ARN).Visit the PSK for which appointment booking has been taken, along with original and xerox self attested documents.

Tips to Get Slot booking Easily – You need to schedule passport appointment  in order to complete the remaining formalities like Documents verification and completing the Interview process

    So the hardest part is to book an appointment. Getting or Managing an appointment Slot in PSK  is not easy, because of lots of applications submitted daily and many people are trying to scheduling appointment at same time.
    Say for Passport Appointment Bangalore, timings for booking the slot is 6.00PM. The timings will be different for other cities.
    If you are not able to get the passport appointment, try booking to get the slot in TATKAAL, ideally its also a same thing, but the possibility is bit more.
    Make sure your internet speed is good and close all other download or webpages. In this way you will get enough bandwidth for your passport appointment managing process.
    Make sure you enter CAPTCHAS very fast as to avoid wastage of time. You may be required to enter CAPTCHAS two times.
    Most Important POINT : When you get an  option to select the slot timing, be quick to select the date and time. Try to avoid wastage of time when making the decision. The more quick you are your more possibility of getting the Slot.
    Select Quota and Choose Randomly.


When we applied for re-issue of passport at PSK Gurgaon, my wife was lucky while I was not so. Her passport was granted immediately and arrived within 3 weeks while for me they put my application on hold giving no justifiable reason. Someone told because I am from Jammu & Kashmir, another person told because there is someone else who has also applied using my credentials and another person saying because my current passport was issued by Indian embassy abroad etc. Eventually I was told by the granting office at PSK that they can not process my application and I will have to visit RPO Delhi to process it further. She said I should go to Room 2 Hall 2 there. During this process lady canceled my current passport which had valid work visa to visit US. So I was now left with no passport and with my application stuck for no reasons. I asked the lady when I should visit RPO, she said after a week ensuring that my file has physically reached there. I waited for 2 weeks and one day decided to visit RPO. I started looking at Internet as to when I should reach there. While there was all help available from various blogs about Dos and Don't for visiting RPO Delhi when applying for new passport, there was no help available when one is visiting just to followup on existing application submitted at PSK. So I tried to use the Dos an Dont's of new application visitors and acted as per advise on net.

I left Gurgaon at 7:15am to reach RPO Delhi at 8:00am Sharp (No Appointment is required). I was told that gates open at around 10:00am and line starts getting piled up from 8:00am onwards. Upon reaching there I found parking easily as I was among first to reach there. I asked someone where is the line and he pointed me to one. I stood there for 10 mins and observed that there was another line. When I asked the person in front of me what the other line was for, he told me that line is for senior citizens and govt employees. I asked whether a person visiting RPO to followup on application also needs to stand in line, he asked me to validate with security guard who of course would show at around 9:00am. By this time both lines had around 100+ people. When security guard came he told me to stand in second queue. I started cursing my luck as when I came to RPO that line only had 20 people while now it has 100+ people. Security told me not to worry as that line moves fast. So I stood in the queue. While chatting with person i front of me in second line, I came to know that there are different rooms for different people based on where the application was submitted. Luckily guard told me a room. Door opened at sharp 10:00am and our line was allowed to get inside. People started rushing towards their rooms. I reached outside my room to find a notice their people wanting to meet PRO there should go to Room 16 on floor 2. I hurriedly went towards that room and security on they way told I am the first going towards that room. When I reached that room, person sitting inside told me that I should visit next room as system in his room is not working. Well finally I reached the room they asked me to. I waited for an hour before the PRO arrived. He first started cursing the new system from TCS saying that TCS systems are slow etc. He then asked TCS guy to locate my file in system and asked for reasons for not issuing passport. TCS guys found my records in system and told that physical file is in PRO office itself and that application was on hold as PAC (Prior Approval) is needed. When I asked PRO why PCA is needed he said it could be any of those reasons told to me at PSK Gurgaon, Delhi. I asked him to give specific reason and he refused saying he can give specific reasons only after physical file has reached his office and police report has also come. Eventually I left for home (with instructions to check his office again in 15 days for any progress).

I learnt following:

You do not need reach RPO earlier than 10:00am for followup on existing cases for PSK applications as line for this moves very fast.
Better to reach there at 11:00am as PRO comes by that time online.
You do have to force PRO for giving more information as easy conversation like by me does not help. One probably has to shout.
Park at right place only as I did find few vehicles being towed.
Don't drink too much water as I did not find a loo there.
Do stand in right queue. One on left side of gate is for fresh applications. there are two on tight sides of gates. One for followup on existing applications and another for senior citizens and govt employees for any work including fresh applications. Online Passport Appointment Management and schedule

Day at Passport Seva Kendra Gurgaon, Delhi

This is the post from one of our blog reader regarding Booking Passport appointment online and scheduling appointment. If you feel anything appropriate please tell Us.
I have already write a post on
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. Schedule appointment for passport in India

Passport appointments extended

The Regional Passport Office Bangalore has decided to open further ‘Walk in with ARN (application reference number)’ appointments for applicants with effect from January 1, 2013 at Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in Bangalore, Mangalore and Hubli.

The categories of the applicants include senior citizens, who are 60 years and above; minor applicants below 15 years of age provided both parents have valid passports; minor applicants provided both parents have valid passports and one parent is abroad and the other parent has been issued Embassy/Consulate certified NOC to apply.

It also includes minor applicants provided both parents have been given NOC and don’t have passports and immediate family members (husband, wife and minor children) 
belonging to an applicant who has got an appointment and the other family members are not able to get appointments on the same day / time / center.

All the above categories of applications will be accepted at the specific time slot from 9.30 am to 11 am only. Applicants should be present in the respective centers with the required documents and with the print out of the ARN sheet.

Additional servicesThese categories of applications are in addition to the other walk-in-categories such as police clearance certificates, physically challenged person cases, tatkaal applications who are given appointments through Koramangala head office, central/state government servants, their spouses and dependent minor children who have NOC / identity certificates.

hindu

In order to make submission of passport applications a little less tedious for some categories of applicants, the Regional Passport Office (RPO), Bangalore, will offer ‘Walk in with ARN (Application Reference Number)’ facility from January 1, 2013, at the Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in Bangalore, Mangalore and Hubli.

K.J. Srinivasa, Regional Passport Officer, Bangalore, said in a release that some categories of applicants will be allowed to submit their duly registered online applications with ARN number as walk-in applicants. Applicants falling under these categories are also required to register their applications online and obtain ARN number and visit the nearest Passport Seva Kendra at their convenience (no prior scheduled appointment required).

The facility will be available between 9.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. The categories of applicants who can avail themselves of the walk-in facility include citizens aged above 60 years; children below 15 years of age provided both the parents have valid passports; minor applicant below 15 years of age provided both parents have valid passports and one parent is abroad and has issued embassy/consulate certified no-objection certificate to the other parent to apply; minor applicant below 15 years of age provided both parents have given NOCs and are not having passports; and immediate family members (husband, wife and minor children) belonging to an applicant who has got an appointment and other family members are not able to manage appointments on the same day/time/centre.

“All such applicants should be present in the respective centres with the required documents with the ARN sheet”, the release said.

Also, walk-in facility is available to all applicants whose applications have been rejected due to lack of necessary documents within three working days of their appointments provided they have got an endorsement from the respective head of the passport seva kendras before leaving the seva kendra.

Other beneficiaries

The categories of applicants allowed walk-in from January 1 are in addition to the existing categories that include police clearance certificates, persons with disabilities, tatkal applicants given scheduled appointments through Koramangala head office, Central and State government employees, their spouses and dependent minor children who have no-objection certificate/identity certificate, besides applicants needing change of emigration check status i.e., from emigration check required (ECR) to emigration check not required (ECNR). Online Passport Appointment Booking In India.

What should I do in case Lost/Stolen of a Passport.

Q: What do I do if I lose my passport?

A: Loss of passport should be immediately reported to the nearest Police Station and to the Passport Office (PO) or Indian Mission, if abroad. You can apply for “Re-issue” of passport at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and submit the required documents along with your passport application form.


Q: I lost my passport recently. I’ve applied for a duplicate passport. I want to know if the new passport will have the same number as my old passport, or a new number?

A: The new passport will have a new passport number, with a fresh validity of 10 years.


Q: I recently lost my valid passport, but do not have the details. Will it be possible for the Passport Office (PO) to trace the details from your system and give them to me for filling my application form for a duplicate/new passport?

A: You need to visit Assistant Passport Officer (APO) at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).


Q: What can I do if I have lost my passport and have to travel to India urgently due to an emergency like serious illness or death in the family?

A: If you have lost your passport during travelling, then you can come to India on the basis of “Emergency Certificate”. For the issuance of “Emergency Certificate”, you need to contact the respective mission/post of that country.


Q: What is the procedure to apply for duplicate passport in case of lost or damaged passport?

A: To apply for a duplicate passport in case of lost or damaged passport, you have to apply for a “Re-issue” of passport.


Q: I am an Indian living in Germany. I lost my Indian passport but I don’t have photocopy of the same. What should I do?

A: Photocopy of the old passport is not a mandatory document to be submitted in case of lost/damaged/stolen passport. It should be produced, if it is available. But you will have to produce, the previous passport details like Passport number, Date of issue, Date of expiry and Place of issue, while filling the passport application form. If you do not have that information, then contact the respective mission/post of that country.


Q: In case of lost/damaged passport we cannot apply under the Tatkaal scheme, but according to the fee list, in the Tatkaal scheme for such cases, additional Tatkaal fee of Rs.1500 is being charged Please clarify.

A: Tatkaal can be granted only after Assistant Passport Officers (APOs)/Regional Passport Officer (RPOs) approval.


Q: I have lost my passport and want to apply for re-issue of passport. I don’t remember my passport number. What should I do?

A: Please meet the Assistant Passport Officer (APO) at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Passport appointment booking and appointment schedule

Passport India Call Centre FAQ.

Q: Who can help me in solving my queries?


A: You can ask your queries at the following places:
By visiting our website www.passportindia.gov.in
By calling call centre at 1800-258-1800
By visiting Helpdesk at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)

Q: Can I ask the status of my application by calling the Call centre?

A: Yes, you can check the status of your application by calling at call centre at 1800-258-1800. You can talk to our call centre executive or punch your file no. into the IVR system to check your application status.

Q: Can a call centre executive apply passport on my behalf?

A: No, call centre executive cannot apply for passport on your behalf.

Q: What all things do I need to know, before calling Passport Call Centre to check my application status?

A: You need to provide your File Number and Date of Birth to our call centre executive to check your application status.

Q: I have lost my passport. Can I file a complaint about the same through call centre?

A: No, you cannot file a complaint for loss of passport through call centre. Loss of passport should be immediately reported to the nearest Police Station and to the Passport Office or Indian Mission, if abroad.

Q: Can I enquire about my nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) by calling call centre executive?

A: Yes, you can locate your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) by calling the call centre at 1800-258-1800. You can also visit online websitewww.passportindia.gov.in to locate your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

Q: Can I reply to a show cause notice received by calling a call centre executive?

A: No, show cause notice cannot be replied by calling a call centre executive. An applicant has to reply the show cause notice in written or typed and send to the respective authority by post or personally meet officer concerned.

Q: Can I lodge a grievance through call centre?

A: Yes, you can lodge a grievance by calling a call centre executive at 1800-258-1800. A grievance can also be lodged on our websitewww.passportindia.gov.in or by visiting helpdesk at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
How to Apply for Passport Online & Manage Appointment

Annexures/Affidavits Required for passport.

Here you can download the Annexures and Affidavits

• Affidavit of Date of Birth to be submitted by illiterate Applicants (Annexure “A”)

• Identity Certificate (Annexure “B”)

• Affidavit for a Passport of a Minor Child by either parent (who are separated but not formally divorced) (Annexure “C”)

• Affidavit for Lady applicant for change of name after Marriage (Annexure “D”)

• Change in Name/Deed Poll/Sworn Affidavit (Annexure “E”)

• Verification Certificate for Tatkaal Passports (Annexure “F”)

• Declaration of Parent/Guardian for Minor Passports (one parent not given consent) (Annexure “G”)

• Declaration of Parent/Guardian for Minor Passports (Annexure “H”)

• Standard Affidavit (Annexure “I”)

• Specimen Verification Certificate (Annexure “J”)

• Specimen Affidavit for Reissue of passport, which was obtained prior to marriage, by married applicants who are unable to provide the prescribed marriage certificate or joint affidavit with spouse due to marital discord, separation or without formal divorce decree by the Court or due to total desertion by the spouse. (Annexure “K”)

• Specimen Affidavit for a passport in lieu of lost/damaged passport (Annexure “L”)

• No Objection Certificate (Annexure “M”) 
• Online appointment booking and application of passport in India