Passport
Your travel document and proof of Indian citizenship for international travel.
What It's Actually For
A passport is both your international travel document and one of the few documents that serves as proof of Indian citizenship (unlike Aadhaar, PAN, or the voter ID).
How to Get It
- Apply online at passportindia.gov.in, book an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office PSK, and visit in person with original documents for verification.
- Police verification is typically required (pre- or post-issuance depending on your category) before or after the passport is issued.
- Processing time varies — Tatkal (urgent) applications are faster but cost more and have narrower eligibility.
How to Correct a Mistake
- Corrections (name, address, spelling errors) are filed as a "Reissue" application on the same portal, with supporting proof of the correct details.
Common Problems
- Police verification delays — the single most common cause of a stuck application; you can check status online and, if genuinely stuck, escalate through the helpline.
- Name mismatch across documents (Aadhaar vs. birth certificate vs. school records) causing rejection — ensure your supporting documents are internally consistent before applying.
Who To Actually Contact
Grievance & help
Ministry of External Affairs, via Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs)
Official issuing authority for this document
Passport Seva National Call Centre: 1800-258-1800 (toll-free, 8 AM – 10 PM, 17 languages)
Official Portal: passportindia.gov.in
J&K helpline (if toll-free unreachable): 040-66720567 — paid number
NE states helpline (if toll-free unreachable): 040-66720581 — paid number
Quick Answers
Still wondering about...
Is a passport proof of Indian citizenship?
Yes — unlike Aadhaar or PAN, a passport is one of the few documents that actually serves as proof of Indian citizenship, not just identity.
Adhikar is an independent citizen-awareness platform, not a Government of India website. Helplines, portals and exact processes can change over time — always cross-check against the official portal listed above before relying on this for an actual application.