What Is 𝑻𝒂𝒕𝒌𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕: Application Process, Fees & Documents

Everybody who has an Indian passport will attest to the fact that the process of acquiring an Indian passport is lengthy, time-consuming, and, if we may add, tedious. Despite the long duration of the passport application process, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has devised mechanisms for quick passport issues under the ‘Tatkaal plan.’ Anyone who has a pressing need to travel abroad can apply for and receive a Tatkaal passport rather quickly.

What is Tatkal Passport?

Any citizen who wishes to visit a foreign country must have a valid passport. An applicant could occasionally require a passport right away. Under such circumstances, there is a provision to apply for a ‘Tatkal Passport’. Tatkal passports are granted in a few days after being promptly processed. The application procedure and paperwork requirements, however, are essentially unchanged. A few extra papers may need to be submitted by the applicant as part of the Tatkal application.

You can look through the tatkal application for both new and reissued passports. Previously, a Verification Certificate from a Gazetted Officer was necessary for Tatkal passports. The removal of these criteria in recent years has made it possible for applicants to obtain passports in an emergency.

The Passport Seva Portal is used to submit Tatkal passport applications. The applicants must show up for the in-person interview to verify their documentation. Once the documents have been validated, applicants can expect to receive their passports in two days.

Eligibility for Tatkal Passport

The jurisdictional passport office makes the final decision regarding issuing a passport under the tatkal scheme. Before making a decision, the judge would consider the applicant’s compelling circumstances and the urgency of the passport. It should be emphasised that under this specific programme, anyone who falls into the following categories is not eligible to apply or reapply for a passport.

• Citizens of India who have obtained the status by naturalisation or registration.
• Citizens of Indian descent born outside of India to Indian parents.
• Applicants who have undergone government-funded repatriation from another nation are eligible.
• Applicants who have been expatriates who have been deported to India.
• People who have had a name change.
• Citizens who were born in Nagaland but now live elsewhere.
• Those who live in Jammu and Kashmir
• People in Nagaland
• Parents only have minor children.
• Adopted children from parents in India and abroad.
• Minors who live in Nagaland
• Brief extension of passport validity
• Passports that are unrecognisably damaged.
• Stolen or lost passports
• Significant changes in appearance or gender.
• Changes to one’s signature or other personal credentials.

How to Apply for Tatkal Passport Online?

Interested applicants for a Tatkal passport may choose from two generic application modes, either by applying online or physically going to the passport office. If you wish to obtain a Tatkal passport, apply online and follow these easy steps:

• Register on Passport Seva’s official website.

• Enter your user ID and password to log in after creating an account on the portal.

• Choose one of the two: fresh passport or re-issue passport.
• Select the ‘Tatkal’ scheme type.
• Fill out the application form after downloading it with the necessary information, such as your name, job status, and family composition.
• Complete the application tatkal passport process by making an online payment after submitting the form online.
• Make an appointment at the closest Passport Seva Kendra by printing off the receipt (PSK).

For your Tatkal passport apply online or offline, the Tatkal passport process is fairly straightforward, and the government of India has made it convenient for citizens. 

Tatkal Passport Fees

The price of a passport varies depending on the kind of passport service requested, whether it is Tatkal or regular. All passport fees must be paid online under the new regulations.

The Tatkal Passport charges and the size of the booklet are shown in the table below. 

Tatkal Passport Charges for a New Passport Application

Tatkal Passport Charges for Passport Reissue or Renewal

How Can You Pay the Tatkal Passport Fees?

Candidates have a choice between the three methods mentioned below for online payments to pay their Tatkal Passport charges:

• Internet Banking
• Credit Card
• Debit Card

At your nearby Passport Seva Kendra, you can also pay the necessary tatkal passport charges in cash. You may also use the State Bank of India challan to make a payment.

Don’t miss It!

What are the Tatkal Passport Documents Needed?

You need the following documents to apply for a Tatkal Passport:

• Verification Certificate prescribed in Annexure F
• Election Card
• Certificate of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes/ Other Backward Castes
• Service Photo Identity Card
• Ration card
• Arms Licence
• Property Documents
• Pension Documents
• PAN Card is issued by the Income Tax Department
• Railway Photo Identity Card
• Bank Passbook
• Student’s ID Card (recognised institution)
• Driver’s licence
• Birth Certificate
• Gas Connection Bill

What Is the Processing Time for Tatkal Passport?

An application submitted through tatkal will be verified and handled more rapidly than an ordinary application. By this idea, passports are granted one week after the applicant provides the Passport Seva Kendra with all the necessary documentation. Using this strategy, you are assured of an early appointment and expedited processing through a separate queue. Additionally, how the candidate feels about police verification would be a factor. The passport will be mailed out within a working day of the application being submitted if the application does not need police verification. If your passport application requires a police check, it will be completed once the passport is issued. The passport will then be shipped out on the third business day after the application has been received.

How to Check Status of Tatkal Passport?

Adhere to these simple how-to steps to check the status of your passport application under the Tatkal scheme:

Step 1: Go to the ‘Passport Seva’ official website and select the ‘Track Application Status’ tab.

Step 2: The website changes to ‘Track Application Status’.

Step 3: Choose your application type in this section. Additionally, enter your 15-digit file number and birthdate. Select ‘Track Status.’

The status of your passport application will then be shown on the next page.

What Is the Difference Between a Normal and Tatkal Passport?

A standard passport and a Tatkaal passport are virtually identical. The main distinction between the two is in the service level or application procedure. Tatkaal, as the name implies, guarantees quicker processing of the application for a premium charge, subject to the submission of a set of supplementary documents.

The table below illustrates how the two differ most in terms of their processing times:

Please note that you must pay additional fees for a tatkal application in addition to the application price if you wish to apply for a new or renewed passport.

FAQ’s about Tatkal Passport