Passports are authoritative documents governing your traversal activities across countries. They serve as proof of identity and citizenship and are issued by the respective national figureheads of each country. There are different types of passports issued for other purposes. An in-depth autopsy of passports is given below.
Different types of passports:
Indian passports are divided into two categories
- Digital or online e-passports
- Physical passports or offline
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- Personal Passport
- Diplomatic Passport
- Emigration Passport
- Official Service Passport
Digital or online e-passports
Since 2008 all diplomatic passports become e-passports, and soon Indian people can access online e-passports from 2023. In these passports, there is an inbuilt electronic chip to fast-track immigration and security procedures.
- E-passports speed up immigration and security checks.
- The embedded security chip makes them tamper-proof.
- E-passport contains your biometric data, iris print, and photographs.
Physical passports or Offline
Personal/Ordinary Passports (Blue Personal Passport)
This passport is in blue and is only for Indian citizens. Blue colour differentiates it from other passports. It is issued between 30 and 45 days. Indian citizen passport holders use it for travel in their free time or for business, and education.
In this category (ordinary blue passport) you can opt for the urgent (tatkal) passport. By paying the extra amount and the required documents you can get your Tatkal passport within some days.
What Requirements are Needed for Personal Passports?
Any Indian citizen can apply for a personal passport if the citizen fulfils these requirements:
- Indian citizen by birth
- Citizen of India by descent
- Citizens of India, by neutralisation or naturalisation
Diplomatic Passports (Maroon Diplomat Passport)
India’s maroon passport is the most exclusive. A diplomatic passport is a maroon passport. Indian ambassadors, members of parliament, the Union Council of Ministers, and government employees with senior diplomatic couriers are all granted this passport. Diplomatic passport requests and applications are also available for high-ranking state-level Indian officials travelling on official business.
What requirements are needed for Diplomat passports?
- Indian Foreign Service officers (Branch A)
- Officers from the Ministry of External Affairs
- Relatives such as son, spouse, parents, daughter
Emigration Passport (Orange Emigration Passport)
Any Indian citizen can apply for this passport, whether that person completed their 10th standard or not if they have the required documents for SSC and children under 15 years old can apply for an Emigration passport immediately.
What requirements are needed for an emigration passport?
Their eligibility criteria are Indian citizens who have worked overseas for 3 or more years, minors under 18 years old, and adults above 50 years old.
Official Services Passport (White Service Passport)
Official services passports are issued only to people who work with the Indian government. It includes IAS officers and the Indian police department.
What requirements are needed for an official service passport?
- Indian Government Officials
- Indian Police Service Department Officials
- IAS officials
Here are the key steps to apply for a passport in India
- Identify the type of passport you require
- Gather the documents required as hitherto mentioned
- Visit the passport seva portal and submit an application
- Pay the application fees, whose mode of payment is also flexible
- Unarguably the paramount step of the process is attending the police verification
- After following steps one through 5, the passport will be dispatched to your address
Passport Application Fees
- For applicants up to 8 years of age: ₹1,500 (normal), ₹2,000 (tatkal)
- For applicants between 8-18 years of age: ₹1,500 (normal), ₹2,000 (tatkal)
- For applicants above 18 years of age: ₹1,500 (normal), ₹2,000 (tatkal)
Frequently asked questions:
Which type of passport should a person without formal education apply for?
There are no passports that require you to be institutionally educated.
Which type of passport should a person who has completed 10th grade apply for?
Again, no such passports exist. The level of education is irrelevant when it comes to applying for a passport.
Who is Eligible for Different Types of Passports in India?
Regular passports are eligible for every citizen of India, and have no bias on occupation, education, or income level. Then there are niche passports which are issued to select personnel for different purposes. For example, diplomatic passports are only issued to people going overseas for matters of national importance.
Where can I apply for an Indian passport?
You have three pathways to achieve this- through the online passport Seva portal, through a passport Seva Kendra, or by post. Select the one that suits you the most.
What is a yellow Indian passport?
These are issued to Tibetans seeking refuge in India.
What are the three colours of Indian passports
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- Navy blue for regular/ordinary passports
- White for diplomatic passports
- Orange for emigration check required (ECR) passports
- Who is eligible for a VIP passport in India?
Who is eligible for a VIP passport in India?
Indian diplomats and senior government officials.
Different Types of Indian Passports and Who Can Apply
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- Regular Passport (Blue): For general citizens travelling for leisure, business, or education.
- Diplomatic Passport (Maroon): For Indian diplomats, government officials, and their families.
- Official Passport (White): For government employees travelling on official duty.
- E-Passport: A newer type, available to all citizens, includes biometric data for added security.
How many types of passports are issued in India?
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- Regular Passport (Blue)
- Diplomatic Passport (Maroon)
- Official Passport (White)
- E-Passport
Are the application fees different for different types of passports?
Yes, the application fees for different types of Indian passports vary based on the type and the applicant’s specific needs.
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