Tatkal passport experience at Bhopal PSK

Randomed by Rituraj / at 4:21 PM / /

I applied for a tatkal passport around mid May 2013 at the Bhopal PSK. I found a lot of help through blog posts and forum posts, so thought I should share my experience and pay it forward.

Step 1.
I collected as much information as I could from the website, blog posts and forum posts. I realized that all the required information is available on the govt passport website. But going through other sources is advisable.
I created an id, downloaded the PDF, filled the form and submitted it. Before doing this I went through the entire FAQ section, instruction manuals and the annexures on the website. There should be absolutely no error in filling the form.
When I applied, tatkal had no appointments. I think now an appointment needs to be booked for tatkal.

Step 2.
I took my:
a. passport form printout
b. passport receipt printout
c. ration card (address proof)
d. license, PAN card
e. affidavit

I did not have a verification certificate at this point because the website states that one can either provide the V.C. or 3 identity proofs.
I reported at the PSK around 10am and was in the queue till 1pm at which point the queue was closed and my documents collected for preliminary examination. Turns out, bhopal passport office required a V.C....it's mandatory. Plus, for tatkal passport, they do not accept ration card as the only address proof. It has to be accompanied by at least one other address proof. I did not have one.

Step 3.
I got a V.C. from someone my father knew. I also took my passbook in SBI (has to be a public sector bank. ICICI, HDFC etc. won't work for tatkal. They will work for normal passport).
I reported back at the PSK at 9am with the documents plus the V.C. This time my documents were approved and I was issued a token at 12pm. All my documents were collected and I was asked to sit in the seating area until my token number was announced.

Step 4.
Once my token number was on the screen I proceeded to the corresponding counter where my photograph was snapped, my signature captured, fees collected and issued another token.

Step 5.
This was the verification step where a government official examined my documents for correctness and missing information. There were instances where others were sent back because their date of birth on a marksheet and birth certificate did not match. My documents were in order so did not face any issues. He asked me what I am currently doing and I answered. He signed my form and gave another token.

Step 6.
This was the granting step. Here, my documents were checked again and there was some kind of background check. I say this because they found that I had a passport when I was a minor that was not cancelled (13 years ago). This was classified as suppression of information and was asked to pay a fine of 2000 rupees after which the processing would resume. I was given a letter with the time at which I must report the next day with the fine. I exited the passport office at 5pm that day!

Step 7.
I reported the next day with the fine money. I paid it at the forward counter. I was issued a token and asked to wait in the waiting area again. I had to undergo the granting step again. So I was called at one of the granting counters again. The person there went through my documents once again and it was in order. My file was submitted and my passport processing had begun!

Step 8.
I kept checking the website but the status did not update for 20 days. Finally, upon further enquiry at the passport office (not PSK), it turned out that the person who issued the V.C. to me had not sent the acknowledgement for the V.C. to the passport office correctly. So we paid the person a visit, got the correct acknowledgement and sent it to the passport office again. My status changed to something like PV police verification has started.

Step 9.
In the next 4 days, the status changed to "passport is being printed" and then to "passport has been dispatched." I received it on the 5th day. It was sent through speed post and the post man delivered it. He expected something which he received.

That was the entire process. I am still waiting for police verification as it happens after the passport is issued in case of tatkal. The process was simple but had some surprises. Got my passport within a month of applying. I think I'd have received it in a week had it not been for the V.C. discrepancy.
Be prepared to dedicate at least one entire day at the passport office.