A passport is a crucial document for any citizen traveling to a foreign country. In urgent situations, applicants can apply for a ‘Tatkal Passport,’ which is processed quickly and issued within a few days.
While the document requirements and application process are largely the same as for regular passports, applicants may need to submit a few added documents under the Tatkal scheme.
Tatkal applications can be made for both reissued and new passports. Earlier, a Verification Certificate from a Gazetted officer was required, but this requirement has been removed, simplifying the process for emergencies.
Tatkal passport applications must be submitted online through the Passport Seva Portal. Applicants are required to attend a personal interview for document verification. Once the documents are verified and the passport is ‘Granted,’ it can be dispatched within a day’s time.
What is a Tatkal Passport ?
A Tatkal Passport refers to a specialised application scheme designed to expedite the passport issuance process in India. It serves as a more convenient alternative, allowing applicants to acquire a passport more swiftly than the typically time-consuming procedure.
In situations where an unforeseen foreign trip arises, the absence of a passport can pose challenges. Concerns about the lengthy and intricate passport application process in India may add to the apprehension.
However, there’s no need to be daunted, as the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has introduced the Tatkal Passport mechanism to facilitate faster passport acquisition for applicant
Documents Required For Tatkal Passport
Voter ID
Aadhaar Card
Ration Card
Certificate of OBC/SC/ST
Arms Licence
PAN Card
Gas Bill
Property Documents
Birth Certificate
Service Identification
Pension Documents
Student’s Identity Card from a recognised institution
Kisan Passbook
Post Office Passbook
Bank Passbook
Tatkal Passport Eligibility Criteria—Who Can Apply For Tatkal Passport?
Any person who is over 18 can apply for a Tatkal passport by submitting at least three of the documents specified in the list of documents required for the Tatkal passport. Applicants under 18 can submit at least two of the listed documents.
However, the Regional Passport Office (RPO) has the authority to decide whether someone should receive a Tatkal Passport. This scheme applies to people who fall into one of the following categories.
Tatkal Passport Ineligibility
The Tatkal passport scheme is made to only serve the genuine urgent needs of individuals who need their passports due to some unforeseen travel requirements. Any misuse of the scheme without a valid reason just to bypass the regular process will not be entertained.
The following categories are not eligible for obtaining a Tatkal passport:
Individuals who get deported from another country to India
Indian Descent or applicants born abroad to parents who are Indian
Residents of India who receive their citizenship as per the naturalisation or registration
A person getting repatriated to India from another country
Individuals needing to change their name on the passport
Residents from the J&K (Jammu & Kashmir) and Nagaland
Indian citizens who are Naga natives but living somewhere outside Nagaland
Minors who are Nagaland residents
Minors with single-parent
Applicants who need short-validity passport renewal
Applicants who change their sex or appearance (This doesn’t include changing your personal credentials like the signature)
How To Apply For A Tatkal Passport Online?
Step 1: Visit the official Passport Seva portal.
Step 2: Register to create your account, then use your credentials to log in.
Step 3: Choose between Fresh or Reissuance of Passport.
Step 4: Select “Tatkal” as the type of scheme.
Step 5: Download the form and duly fill it out with accurate information, such as name, family, employment, etc.
Step 6: Submit the filled-out application online along with the requested payment.
Step 7: Download the receipt and schedule your appointment at the local PSK or Passport Seva Kendra.
FAQs
How can I apply for a Tatkaal passport?
Applying for a Tatkaal passport no longer requires a Verification Certificate from a Gazetted Officer. The necessary documents are specified in G.S.R. 939(E) dated 16 December 2019. Applicants over 18 must submit any three documents from the List of Acceptable Documents, while those under 18 must submit any two.
What are the processing benefits of a Tatkaal passport application?
A Tatkaal application is not just for early appointments but also ensures faster processing. It includes post (police) verification and a separate print queue, leading to quicker passport dispatch within one day to three days of the PSK visit, compared to the longer processing times for Normal applications.