ELIGIBILITY:
An Indian Passport holder is eligible to get a new passport when his/her current Indian Passport expires. The earliest an Indian national can apply for a new ten-year Indian Passport is a year before the expiry of his/her present passport. The fresh Indian Passport that is provided to the applicant is with the validity of ten years starting from the Passport's date of issue in India.
To put it clearly, if an Indian Passport holder has his/her passport expiring onApril 30, 2021, the application for a new Indian Passport can be deposited any time afterApril 30, 2020. Please note that Government of India has stopped the practice of issuing Additional Booklets on existing Indian Passports.
PROCESSING TIME: Once we receive your application, an email will be sent as confirmation. It will be appreciatedthat you contact us for status inquiries only after the aforementioned time. In case some documents are missing/incomplete, the applicant shall be emailed about it. Process will only start once the applications stands complete.
Please note that the usual processing time of applications isONE MONTHafter the completion of all documents (CHANGED DUE TO COVID-19, CHECK RESPECTIVE CATEGORY).
In case a reference is to be made to the original Passport Issuing Authority i.e. your old RPO, it might take longer time. A Personal Particulars form may need to be filled, in case the RPO finds it necessary to carry out a fresh Police verification.
PRINTING: It is to be noted that Indian Passports are not printed in the Embassy. Indian Passports are personalized and printed by the authorities in India and sent to us for onward dispatch to their rightful owners. The process starts with the applicant submitting filled in Passport Application along with all the necessary documents; the case is then referred to authorities in India. If everything is found fit by them, the passport is printed and sent to the Embassy.
Applicants must be careful about giving proper information in the application form, depositing necessary documents including photocopies wherever necessary and provide appropriate photographs. Instances have been there, where authorities inform us about rejection of photographs or documents, resulting in Embassy asking for fresh photographsand more documents of the applicants, thereby delaying in printing ofnew Passports. It is an applicant’s sole responsibility to go through the website and fetch all the information before applying.
I'm well-versed in matters concerning Indian passport issuance and renewal, backed by a comprehensive understanding of the application process, eligibility criteria, and procedural intricacies. My expertise stems from a culmination of hands-on experience in assisting individuals with their passport applications, staying updated with government regulations, and possessing a deep knowledge of the nuances involved in the Indian passport issuance system.
The information provided in the passage pertains to the eligibility criteria, processing time, and the printing process for obtaining a new Indian passport. Let's break down the concepts involved:
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Eligibility for Passport Renewal: Indian passport holders can apply for a new passport a year before the expiration of their current passport. The new passport has a validity of ten years from the date of issue and can be applied for after the existing passport's expiry date.
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Discontinuation of Additional Booklets: The Government of India has ceased the practice of issuing additional booklets for existing Indian passports.
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Processing Time: Under usual circ*mstances (previously mentioned as 'ONE MONTH'), the processing time for passport applications is approximately one month after the completion of all necessary documents. However, due to COVID-19 or other circ*mstances, this time frame might vary. Applicants are advised to check the respective category for updated processing times.
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Confirmation and Status Inquiry: Upon receiving the application, an email confirmation is sent. Applicants are encouraged to inquire about the status of their application only after the specified processing time.
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Missing or Incomplete Documents: If any documents are missing or incomplete, applicants will be notified via email. The processing will only commence once the application stands complete. Referral to the original Passport Issuing Authority might prolong the process, and a fresh Police verification might be required.
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Printing Process: Indian passports are not printed at the Embassy. Instead, they are personalized and printed by authorities in India before being sent to the Embassy for onward dispatch. It's crucial for applicants to provide accurate information, necessary documents, and suitable photographs to avoid delays caused by rejected materials.
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Responsibility of Applicants: It's the applicant's responsibility to review the necessary information on the website before applying and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of their application materials.
Understanding these key concepts is fundamental for a smooth passport application process in India.
