The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has incorporated the provision of the Tatkal passport to help applicants get hold of a passport faster than usual, making it feasible for them to travel to foreign countries right away. Tatkal passports come as a saviour, especially when there is an emergency abroad. As the name goes, this passport is issued and dispatched faster as the RPO (Regional Passport Office) prioritises such applications.
The sections below highlight the application process, the documents required and the Tatkal passport fees involved in getting the passport in India.
How to Apply for a Tatkal Passport?
Here are the steps to make an application for the Tatkal passport:
Step 1: Visit the Passport Seva Portal and log in using the necessary credentials to access the account.
In case applicants do not have an existing account, they create it by selecting ‘New User Registration’. After that, they will be redirected to the applicant’s home, where they will come across a list of services.
Step 2: Choose from the two options, ‘Fresh’ and ‘Re-issuance’ of the passport, that will be displayed on the screen.
Step 3: In the scheme type, choose the ‘Tatkal’ option and download the application form.
Step 4: Fill it out with relevant details and submit the application form.
Step 5: Click on the ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’ link on the ‘View Saved/Submitted Applications’ screen to schedule an appointment. After that, initiate the payment request and take a printout of the receipt.
Step 6: Then schedule a Tatkal passport appointment at the local Passport Seva Kendra.
It is important to note that only if the applicant sees their application status as ‘Granted’ they will be able to obtain the passport.
Also Read: Check Your Passport Application Status
List of Ineligible Categories for Obtaining Tatkal Passport
Besides knowing the Tatkal passport meaning, one must also know about the eligibility criteria for obtaining a Tatkal passport. Not everyone can apply for a Tatkal passport; there are certain factors that the concerned authorities consider before accepting a Tatkal passport application.
Here are the following conditions under which one cannot apply for a Tatkal passport:
- Indian residents who have been given Indian citizenship via registration or naturalisation.
- People who have changed their name majorly.
- Minor children who have a single parent (applicants with Annexure C)
- Abroad-born Indian descent applicants.
- Those who are repatriated from another country at the cost of the government.
- Residents of Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir who are residing outside the respective places.
- People from Naga and Jammu and Kashmir origin, including minors.
- Those who are undergoing criminal court cases (Applicants who attract section 6(2)(f) and 6(2)(e)).
- Those with present addresses outside the jurisdiction of the RPO.
- People who have changed necessary personal credentials like their signature.
- Individuals whose passport has been stolen, lost or damaged in a way that it cannot be recognised.
- Foreign or Indian parents adopted children/children born out of wedlock, etc.
- Applicants who have opted for short-spanned passport validity renewal.
- Those who have significant changes in appearance or sex.
- People who are deported to India from foreign countries.
For a better idea regarding the eligibility for a Tatkal passport, go to the official ‘Passport Seva’ platform.
Documents Required for Tatkal Passport
Applicants must keep any of the three documents below to adhere to the Tatkal passport requirements.
- Voter ID
- Ration Card (latest or updated)
- PAN card
- Property documents
- Birth certificate (issued under the registration of Birth and Deaths Act, 1969)
- Aadhaar card
- Arms licence
- Service identification card (issued by State or Central Government)
- Pension documents
- Bank Passbook/ Kisan Passbook/ Post office passbook (with the recent transaction updated and applicant’s photo attested)
- ID card of a student from a recognised institution
- Scheduled tribe, scheduled caste or other backward class certificate
- Pension documents of retired government employees, ex-servicemen’s widow or dependent
Also Read: Check the Required Documents for Passport Application
Tatkal Passport Application Fee
The application fee for a Tatkal passport is different for a fresh passport and for re-issuance and renewal of the Tatkal passport.
The table below shows the Tatkal passport charges for a fresh passport application. These same changes apply for tatkal passport renewal.
| Applicant’s age | Number of pages in the passport | Validity of the Tatkal passport | Tatkal passport fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals below 15 years of age | 36 pages | 10 years | ₹3,000 |
| Those who are aged 15 and above | 36 pages | 10 years | ₹3500 |
| People whose age is 15 and above | 60 pages | 10 years | ₹4000 |
Refer to the table to get an idea of the Tatkal passport fee when one applies for a Tatkal passport renewal or re-issuance of the passport.
Read more: How is police verification for passports done in India?
Conclusion:
Regular passport application involves a long process and requires one to undergo a lot of preparations and formalities. On the other hand, the Tatkal passport facility ensures an accelerated passport application process. It comes in handy in times of urgency. However, before applying for it, one must be well aware of the particularities related to the application of this passport.
Do I need to get the verification certificate signed by the gazetted officer for a Tatkal passport?
How long does it take for the Tatkal passport to get issued?
What is the difference between a normal and a Tatkal passport?
