Get passport in 30 days,under tatkal in 24 hrs

For illiterates or those who find it difficult to fill up the online form,to apply for a passport,the passport office has authorised Suvidha centres (in concerned districts) and Sampark centers in Chandigarh to fill up forms of applicants by charging a nominal fees (not beyond Rs 100).

While the manual procedure saw a host of difficulties suffered by applicants,the new method is swift and time saving. Consider this: the entire process of getting documents checked and completing other formalities does not consume more than 45 minutes.

Under the present system,one can download and fill up the application from the website – http://www.passportindia.gov.in. After filling up the form and taking a print out,the applicant has to visit the Passport Seva Kendra in Industrial Area,and produce original documents to confirm his/her identity. Under the present system,biometrics is used to ensure no fraud is committed by applicants in obtaining passports. Also,the photograph of the applicant is taken by the officials at the kendras.

For senior citizens,the time taken by the authorities is even less. After the formalities are completed,the passport authorities immediately send request for police verification online to the concerned superintendent of police. Police officials,after conducting verification,confirm the same online to the passport office. Once a go ahead is received by the passport authorities from the police department,the passport office sends a text message to the applicants informing them that they will shortly receive their passport. Also,a unique tracking number is generated and sent to the applicant with the help of which the applicant can know the hourly status of the passports before it is issued.

Under the Tatkal scheme,a person can obtain the passport within a day by getting his/her documents verified by an SHO,DSP,IPS or IAS officer or a gazetted officer.

The technology has also brought down cases of fraud exponentially. Regional passport officer Rakesh Agrawal said,“Computerisation and use of biometric system has put an end to fraud being committed in obtaining a fake passport”. Stating that the present system ensures no fraud,Agrawal added that under the manual system the passport office used to receive 10 to 15 complaints,a month on an average. However,there were no complaints,now.

Agrawal also said that the efficiency of passport officials had also increased manifold with the introduction of technology. To ensure that police verification is also expedited,the passport office offers Rs 100 per passport to police if the verification is completed within 21 days. Beyond 21 days,only Rs 25 per passport is offered by the passport office to the police.