Tatkal Passport

A passport is an essential document that is issued by the government of a country and helps us travel to any other country without facing any obstacles. This official document ensures an individual's smooth immigration while entering a foreign country. Moreover, a passport doubles up as an authentic, official identity and address proof that helps its holder to avail various government and private services. The Consular at the Passport and Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is entrusted with the responsibilities of administering passport services and issuing the same to the citizens of India. This article talks about Tatkal Passports and its related information.

Types of Passport Application

There are two types of passport application that one may file. However, the type of application would depend on the requirement and the urgency for a passport of the applicant. The following are the types of passport application.

Normal Passport Application
Tatkal Passport Application

Regular Passport Applications are often filed when the applicant requires a standard application process and is not under a time limit. However, Tatkal Passport Applications deals with the application for a passport when one needs it urgently. Most often, individuals who opt for the Tatkal option would be required to pay an additional amount in order to process their applications faster. The process of Tatkal is accessible to users who want new passports as well as renewal of existing or expired passports. It should be noted that the procedure of obtaining a passport remains the same more or less under the tatkal scheme. However, this service is only accessible to citizens who have a valid reason for getting a passport on urgent grounds.

Eligibility

The jurisdictional passport office decides the final verdict on the issuance of a passport under the tatkal scheme. The urgency of the passport, along with other compelling factors concerning the applicant, would be reviewed before the final verdict. It should be noted that individuals falling under any of the following categories cannot apply or reapply for a passport under this particular scheme.

Indian citizens who have been granted citizenship status on the basis of their naturalization or registration.
Citizens born to Indian parents (Indian descent) outside India.
Applicants who have been repatriated from another country at the Government's cost.
Applicants who have been deported to India from any other country.
Individuals who have undergone a significant Name Change.
Citizens originating from Nagaland but reside outside Nagaland.
Residents of Jammu and Kashmir
Residents of Nagaland
Minor children who have single parents.
Children adopted by Indian and Foreign parents.
Minors residing within Nagaland
Short passport validity renewal
Passports damaged beyond the point of recognition.
Lost or stolen passports
Significant changes in gender or appearance.
Changes in personal credentials such as one's signature.

Documents Required

The following documents are required in order to apply for a Tatkal Passport.

Verification Certificate as prescribed in Annexure F.
Election card
Service Photo Identity Card
Certificate of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes/ Other Backward Castes.
Identity Cards of Freedom Fighters.
Arms License
Ration card
Property Documents
Pension Documents
Railway Photo Identity Card
PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department
Bank Passbook
Student's Identity Card from a recognized Institution.
Driver's License
Birth Certificate
Gas Connection Bill

Tatkal Passport Fee Structure

The following is the fee structure for various passport services under the tatkal scheme. NOTE: An amount of INR 500 would be applicable to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate.

Application for Fresh Passport

The following is the fee structure to obtain a brand new passport. A fresh passport will be valid for 10 years unless mentioned otherwise. NOTE: For the application of a fresh passport, a rebate of 10% on the basic passport fee will be applicable for minor applicants (individuals of 8 years and below) and senior citizens (individuals of 60 years and above). For individuals below the age of 15.

Pages	Fee
For a passport comprising of 36 pages	INR 3,000
For a passport comprising of 60 pages	Not Available (Only passports with 36 pages will be approved)

For individuals of the between the age of 15 and 18 who require a passport for 5 years or until they turn 18.

Pages	Fee
For a passport comprising of 36 pages	INR 3,000
For a passport comprising of 60 pages	Not Available (Only passports with 36 pages will be approved)

For individuals of the age of 15 and above.

Pages	Fee
For a passport comprising of 36 pages	INR 3,500
For a passport comprising of 60 pages	INR 4,000

Renewal of Passport post Expiry

The following is the fee structure to renew or re-issue a passport post its expiry. For individuals below the age of 15. NOTE: If an individual has lost or damaged their passport which had not expired, the fee for re-issuance of passport is INR 5,000.

Pages	Fee
For a passport comprising of 36 pages	INR 3,000
For a passport comprising of 60 pages	Not Available (Only passports with 36 pages will be approved)

For individuals of the between the age of 15 and 18 who require a passport for 5 years or until they turn 18. NOTE: If an individual has lost or damaged their passport which had not expired, the fee for re-issuance of passport is INR 5,000.

Pages	Fee
For a passport comprising of 36 pages	INR 3,000
For a passport comprising of 60 pages	Not Available (Only passports with 36 pages will be approved)

For individuals of the age of 15 and above. NOTE: If an individual has lost or damaged their passport which had not expired, the fee for re-issuance of passport is INR 5,000 and INR 5,500 for 36 paged and 60 paged passports respectively.

Pages	Fee
For a passport comprising of 36 pages	INR 3,500
For a passport comprising of 60 pages	INR 4,000

Tatkal Process Duration

The application for a tatkal passport generally undergoes a speedy verification and quick processing when compared to a normal passport application. Passports are typically issued and dispatched to the relevant applicant within 1-3 days from the date of application. The date of application is considered to be the date on which the applicant furnished the required documents and paperwork at the appropriate Passport Seva Kendra. Additionally, any application under the tatkal scheme guarantees an early appointment as well as quick application processing through a particular queue. If Police verification is required, the tatkal passport would be dispatched to the concerned individual on the third day that does not include the date of applying. The passport would be sent without waiting for the report of the conducted police verification. If Police verification is NOT required, the tatkal passport would be dispatched to the concerned individual within one day that does not include the date of applying.

Passport Fee Payment

The following are the payment methods that can be used to submit the passport processing fee.

Online Process

Applicants may choose to pay through the following methods:

Debit Card
Credit Card
Internet Banking through the State Bank of India and any Associate Banks.

Online payments are deemed mandatory in order to fix an appointment at any Passport Seva Kendra. Applicants are only required to pay the fee applicable under the Normal Passport Application category while making online payments for application under the tatkal scheme. The remaining amount of the tatkal fee has to be paid in cash at the Passport Seva Kendra. For Debit Card and Credit Card payments, banks charge an extra of 1.5% along with Sevice Tax on every transaction. However, this does not apply to transactions executed by SBI and Associate Banks. Online payments have a validity of 1 year from the very first appointment date, and the application is required to be submitted within this given time period. If the applicant fails to do so, the payment would be considered forfeited, and a new payment will have to be made. Payments through Debit Cards and Credit Cards can be made through Citizen Service Centres (CSCs).

Offline Process

The following payment methods may be executed in the offline format.

Cash Payments

Cash payments could be made at any given Passport Seva Kendra. For tatkal applications, the complete application fee could be paid in one go, unlike the online process of payment for tatkal applications. However, the public is warned to keep an eye out for touts and agents while making payments with cash at any Kendra. It should be noted that the only payment method accepted at any Passport Seva Kendra is cash. This applies to mini Kendra as well. All Kendra host ATMs for every bank. There, cash withdrawal to make the necessary payments can be easily made.

Demand Draft

If the option to pay through a Demand Draft is chosen, the same has to be executed at a District Passport Cell or a Speed Post Centre. At a District Passport Cell, the demand draft will have to be made out to PAO-MEA to be satisfied at the RPO. However, at a Speed Post Centre, the payment could be made through cash or Demand Draft. If the option of payment is Demand Draft, the same must be drawn in favour of PAO-MEA. The same will be payable at the location of the RPO. Things to note while making payments through Demand Draft

The following information must be mentioned behind the Demand Draft:
- Applicant's Name
- Applicant's Date of Birth.
- Date of submission of the Passport Application.
Collection Centers only accept applications from individuals who require fresh passports.
Any penalty, if applicable, can only be paid in cash.