What is Tatkal Passport, Fees and How to Apply?

A Tatkal passport is a fast-track passport service offered by the Government of India for applicants who require urgent passport issuance. Individuals can apply for a Tatkal passport for fresh issuance or reissue by paying an additional fee. Depending on the application and police verification, the Tatkal passport time is generally 1 to 3 working days after a successful appointment.

Key Highlights

• Tatkal Passport Time: Usually issued within 1-3 working days, subject to police verification.
• Additional Fee: ₹2,000 over and above the normal passport application fee.
• Application Mode: Online application through the Passport Seva Portal with a mandatory PSK/POPSK appointment.
• Eligibility: Available for eligible fresh and reissue passport applications, including certain lost or stolen passport cases.
• Police Verification: May be conducted before or after passport issuance, depending on the application.

What is Tatkal Passport?

A Tatkal passport is an expedited passport service provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for applicants requiring faster passport issuance than the normal process. It is available for both fresh passports and eligible passport reissue applications, subject to document verification and applicable Tatkal fees.

Unlike the normal passport process, the Tatkal passport time is usually 1 to 3 working days after the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) appointment, while police verification may be completed either before or after passport issuance, depending on the case.

How to Apply for Tatkal Passport Online?

Individuals can apply for a Tatkal passport online and book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) through the Passport Seva Portal by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva Portal and log in or register as a new user.

Step 2: Click on 'Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport' and complete the online application form.

Step 3: Select 'Tatkal' as the application type.

Step 4: Pay the applicable Tatkal passport fee online.

Step 5: Book an appointment at the preferred Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).

Step 6: Visit the PSK/POPSK on the scheduled appointment date for document verification and biometric capture.

Tatkal Passport Fees

The Tatkal passport fee includes the standard passport application fee along with an additional ₹2,000 Tatkal fee for expedited processing. The applicable fee depends on the type of application, booklet size, and applicant category.

How to Pay the Tatkal Passport Fees?

The Tatkal passport fee can be paid through the Passport Seva Portal using any of the following payment methods:

I. Online payment modes

• Debit Card
• Internet Banking
• Credit Card
• UPI

II. Offline payment mode

SBI Bank Challan (generated through the Passport Seva Portal and paid in cash at an authorised State Bank of India branch)

Time Taken for Tatkal Passport

The Tatkal passport time is generally 1 to 3 working days after successful document verification at the PSK/POPSK.

• Application Processing: Documents are verified during the PSK appointment.
• Police Verification: Depending on the case, police verification may take place before or after passport issuance.
• Passport Dispatch: Once approved, the passport is dispatched through Speed Post and can be tracked online using the Application Reference Number (ARN).

Tatkal Passport Eligibility

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Tatkal Passport Eligibility

Any individual above the age of 18 can apply for a Tatkal passport by providing a minimum of three documents from the list of prescribed documents. Applicants below the age of 18 must submit at least two of the prescribed documents.

However, the Passport Authority has the final discretion to issue a passport under the Tatkal scheme. The following applicants are generally not eligible to apply under the Tatkal scheme:

• Applicants requesting any change in name.
• Applicants seeking correction of the date of birth or place of birth.
• Applicants requesting a change in the father's, mother's or spouse's name.
• Applicants whose current residential address falls outside the jurisdiction of the Regional Passport Office (RPO) where the application is submitted.
• Naga-origin citizens residing outside Nagaland.
• Minors residing in Nagaland.
• Persons of Jammu & Kashmir origin, including minors below 18 years.
• Citizens born outside India to Indian parents (of Indian descent).
• Applicants seeking a change in sex or appearance.
• Indian citizens granted citizenship by naturalisation or registration.
• Children adopted by Indian or foreign parents.
• Children born through surrogacy.
• Individuals requesting changes to personal particulars such as their signature.
• Minor children with a single parent.
• Applicants who have been deported to India from another country.
• Individuals applying for passport renewal with a short validity period.
• Individuals repatriated from abroad at the Government's expense.

Note: Tatkal passport issuance is subject to document verification and approval by the Passport Authority. Applications involving complex citizenship verification, adverse police records, or additional security clearances may not be processed under the Tatkal scheme.

Documents Required for Tatkal Passport

To apply for a Tatkal passport, applicants aged 18 years and above must submit at least three documents from the prescribed list. Applicants below 18 years of age must submit at least two documents.

The accepted documents include:

• Aadhaar Card/e-Aadhaar
• PAN Card
• Voter ID Card (EPIC)
• Driving Licence
• Birth Certificate
• Ration Card
• Student Photo Identity Card issued by a recognised educational institution
• Bank Passbook, Kisan Passbook or Post Office Passbook (with an attested photograph and updated transactions)
• Service Photo Identity Card issued by the Central/State Government, PSU, local body or Public Limited Company
• Pension documents
• SC/ST/OBC Certificate
• Arms Licence
• Previous passport (for renewal or reissue applications)

Difference between Regular and Tatkal Passport

Below is a detailed comparison between a regular passport and a Tatkal passport, with the most crucial factor being the faster Tatkal passport time taken for issuance.

A Tatkal passport is the fastest option for obtaining a passport in India when urgent issuance is required. With a Tatkal passport time of generally 1 to 3 working days, eligible applicants can complete the online application, attend the PSK appointment, and receive their passport much faster than through the normal process.

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