How to Apply for a Passport in India (Passport Seva Guide 2026)
Complete walkthrough of passportindia.gov.in — Registration, fresh/renewal/tatkal form, PSK appointment, fee payment (₹1500–₹2000), and PSK visit with documents. Photo: 2×2 inch, white background, face 70–80% of frame.
Updated August 2026
What you'll need before you start
- Recent colour photograph — plain white background, face 70–80% of frame, 2×2 inch, JPG for digital upload. Also carry two printed physical copies to the PSK.
- Aadhaar card (original + self-attested copy) — covers both identity and address proof in a single document.
- Date of birth proof — birth certificate (municipal) or Class 10 marksheet/certificate with DOB printed on it.
- Current passport (original + copy) — if applying for renewal. Note the passport number, issue date, and issuing authority before starting.
- Active email ID and mobile number — for registration, OTP verification, and appointment reminders.
- Debit card / credit card / net banking — ₹1500 Normal (36-page), ₹2000 Tatkal, ₹2000 fresh 60-page. Renewal fees differ.
Passport photo specification (India)
The same specification applies to both the digital upload on the portal and the physical printed photos you carry to the PSK.
| Attribute | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) |
| Format (digital) | JPG, 20–50 KB |
| Background | Plain white — no patterns, no shadows, no grey tones |
| Face coverage | 70–80% of the frame — chin to crown |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at camera |
| Glasses | Not permitted (MEA 2016 rule — even prescription glasses) |
| Head covering | Not permitted except for religious reasons |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Passport fee schedule 2026
| Application type | Booklet | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh / Normal | 36-page | ₹1,500 |
| Fresh / Normal | 60-page | ₹2,000 |
| Fresh / Tatkal | 36-page | ₹2,000 |
| Fresh / Tatkal | 60-page | ₹2,000 |
Renewal fees vary by scenario. Check passportindia.gov.in fee calculator for your specific case.
Carry physical printed photos to the PSK — digital upload alone is not enough
The Passport Seva portal requires a digital photo upload, but you must also carry two physical passport-size prints (2×2 inch, white background) to the PSK appointment. Applications without physical photos can be delayed or asked to return. Get the same photo printed at a photo studio using the digital file — confirm the studio prints to 51×51 mm.
Step-by-step walkthrough
Step 1 — Register on Passport Seva
Open passportindia.gov.in and click Register Now. Enter your name, date of birth, email ID, and set a login ID (username) and password. Click Submit and check your email — click the activation link to verify your email address.
Log in to the Passport Seva portal using your login ID and password. The home page shows all services — fresh passport, renewal, police clearance certificate, and more.
Tools used in this guide
Why use BharatTools for passport photo preparation?
Your passport photo is biometric data — it must not be processed by third-party servers. Every BharatTools tool runs locally in your browser — your photo never leaves your device. Open DevTools Network tab while you compress: zero upload requests. You can also transfer your processed photo to your phone for printing without WhatsApp using Quick Send, a peer-to-peer transfer that stores nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to prepare your passport photo?
Compress your passport photo for the Passport Seva portal digital upload — stays under 50 KB, runs in your browser.
Specifications and fees based on the Ministry of External Affairs Passport Seva guidelines as of . Always cross-check the current fee schedule and document requirements at passportindia.gov.in before your PSK appointment — requirements may be revised.