A tatkal scheme allows one to skip the otherwise time-consuming passport application process. In addition, it presents a simpler way to get a passport, alongside a faster processing time, thereby providing you with a passport within a few days.

Want to know about its application procedure, tatkal passport fees and other essential details? You will find all the information about tatkal passport in this article.

Keep reading!

The Regional Passport Office determines whether to issue a tatkal passport. Remember that not every applicant is eligible to apply under the tatkal scheme. Here are the following categories:

• Applicants Born to Indian Parents in a Foreign Country (Indian Descent)
• Individuals Deported to India From Other Countries
• A Person Repatriated From a Different Country
• Indian Residents Who Are Granted Citizenship Based on Registration or Naturalisation
• Residents of Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir
• Indian Citizens of Naga Origin but Residing Outside Nagaland
• Individuals Who Wish to Renew Short Validity Passports
• Applicants With a Major Change in Their Name
• Minor Residents of Nagaland
• Applicants Seeking to Re-issue Their Passports After It Was Lost or Stolen
• Individuals Changed in Appearance or Sex. Changes in Personal Credentials (For Example, Signature) Are Also Not Eligible for a Tatkal Passport.

Now that you know about what is tatkal passport and its eligibility, let’s learn about its application procedure.

Are you wondering how to apply for a tatkal passport? Follow these simple steps:

• Register on the official website of Passport Seva.
• Once you create an account on the portal, log in with your user ID and password.
• Select one of these two options – ‘Fresh/Re-issue’.
• Choose “Tatkal” as the scheme type.
• Download the application form and fill it in with relevant details, such as your name, employment type, family details etc.
• Submit the form online and complete the application procedure by making an online payment.
• Take a printout of the receipt and book an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).

For online payment, you can opt for the three following options:

• Internet Banking
• Credit Card
• Debit Card

You can also pay the applicable tatkal passport fees in cash at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra. Also, you can pay via the State Bank of India challan.

You need to submit any 3 of the following documents to apply for a tatkal passport:

• Aadhaar Card
• Voter Card
• SC/ST/ OBC Certificate
• PAN Card
• Ration Card
• Arms License
• Service Identity Card
• Documents Of Property
• Gas Bills
• Driving License
• Birth Certificate
• Pension Documents
• Bank/Post Office/Kisan Passbook
• Identity Card of a Student From a Recognised Educational Institution

Once your application is successful with the final status “Granted”, you can expect your tatkal passport to be dispatched within the third working day. Moreover, this date is inclusive of the police verification and excludes the date of application submission.

In addition, if an applicant does not require police verification, he/she can expect the passport within 1 working day from the date of application.

The main difference between the two is based on their processing time, as highlighted below:

• Normal Passport- The standard processing time is 30 to 45 days from the date of application.
• Tatkal Passport- The standard processing time is 1 working day without police verification. If police verification is needed, one may expect the dispatch of a tatkal passport within a third working day, excluding the day of application.

Note: If you seek to apply for a fresh or re-issue of a passport, you need to pay additional fees for a tatkal application besides the application fee.