A passport is an official travel document issued by a recognized government of a country. In India, passports are issued by the Government of India to its citizens, allowing them to travel internationally. Passports serve as proof of identity and nationality and provide permission for entry into other countries.

There are four types of passport issues in India. An ordinary passport, an official or diplomat passport, a white passport and an orange passport. The ordinary passport, also referred to as passport type P, is issued to regular Indian citizens intending to travel for business or leisure purposes to a foreign country. These passports are are primarily utilized for personal trips, encompassing educational, business, vacation, employment, and other excursions. As a result, the ordinary passport is widely held by the majority of Indian nationals, serving as a versatile travel document. There are two main categories of an ordinary passport - ECR and ECNR. An ECR (Emigration Check Required) passport is issued to individuals who are not eligible for automatic emigration clearance. Typically, individuals with less formal education (below 10th standard) fall under the ECR category. An ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) passport is issued to individuals who are eligible for automatic emigration clearance. Individuals who have completed a certain level of education (10th pass or above) are eligible for ECNR status. There are two time-bound categories of ordinary passports: Normal and Tatkal. Tatkal passports are intended for individuals who seek to obtain their passport as quickly as possible. Moreover, frequent adult travelers also have the option to choose a jumbo booklet. An ordinary passport typically comprises 30 pages designated for visas and stamps. However, the jumbo booklet offers an expanded capacity, accommodating 60 pages within the passport.

When applying for a passport for the first time, it is referred to as a Fresh application. Conversely, if you already possess a passport, you are required to apply for a passport re-issue. In either scenario, the application must be submitted through the Passport Seva Portal. The procedure entails completing an online application, making the necessary application fee payment, scheduling an appointment, and visiting the Passport Seva Kendra for document verification and biometric data collection.

The duration of validity for an Indian passport is contingent upon the age of the passport holder at the issuance time. Individuals below 15 years of age receive a 5 year validity. Those aged 15 to 18 have the option to apply for a minor passport valid until he/she attains the 18 years of age or full validity passport of 10 years.. For individuals aged 18 and above, the standard validity is 10 years. Diplomatic and official passports, however, adhere to distinct validity periods.

Passport renewal can be sought for a variety of reasons. If your passport is nearing its expiry, you can initiate the renewal process up to 12 months before its expiration date or even if it has already expired. In cases of loss, damage, tearing, or any form of impairment to your passport, applying for renewal is necessary. Additionally, when your passport pages have been completely used, renewal is required. Alterations such as name changes, address updates, or spouse name endorsements are also grounds for seeking a passport reissue.

Certainly, all applicants, including those seeking passport renewal and even infants, must personally appear at either the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). This presence is necessary for providing biometric data (fingerprints) and photographs, as well as adhering to the designated procedures. However, minor applicants below the age of 4 years need to carry a passport size photograph for the processing of application at the PSK/POPSK.

The procedure for a minor's passport application closely mirrors that for adults. However, in the case of a minor's application, both parents or legal guardians are required to sign Annexure-D. When applying for a passport for their minor children, both parents must be present at the PSK/POPSK. Alternatively, one parent with passports of both parents may be present, with the possibility of the other parent being called in by the PSK in-charge if there are concerns about the signature on Annexure-D. If one parent resides abroad, the parent submitting the application in India will sign the application form and secure the consent of the other parent through Annexure-D. In situations where obtaining consent from either parent is not feasible, a declaration in the form of Annexure-C may be provided, citing the relevant reasons. However, in cases of minors with a single parent (where one parent is deceased), Annexure-D along with the Death Certificate of the deceased parent is required.

In order to obtain a passport, employees of Government/Public Sector/Statutory bodies are required to provide an additional document alongside the application form. This could be either the original Identity Certificate according to Annexure-A, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) following Annexure-G, or a Prior Intimation Letter (PI) as outlined in Annexure-H. When Annexure-A is submitted, the passport will be issued without the need for police verification. In cases where Annexure-G is provided, the passport will be granted with post police verification. Similarly, if Annexure-H is submitted, the passport will be issued after undergoing pre police verification. In case of a name change, the following supplementary documents must be submitted: 1. Gazette Notification reflecting the name change within the applicant's department. 2. Updated Identity Certificate issued anew under the modified name.

The government's fee can vary between Rs. 900 to Rs. 5500 under various schemes, depending on the nature of the application. You can calculate your application fee at Passport Seva Portal.

When traveling domestically within India by airplane, you do not need a passport. A passport becomes mandatory when traveling internationally, as it serves as a vital travel document for verifying your identity and nationality when crossing international borders. If you're departing from or arriving in India on an international flight, you must present a valid passport to both airline officials and immigration authorities. Moreover, the necessity of a passport extends beyond air travel alone. Whether you're journeying internationally by airplane, boat, train, or any other mode of transportation, a passport is a mandatory requirement for crossing international boundaries.

When traveling internationally, a passport is a primary and essential requirement. However, depending on your destination, nationality and reason of travel you might also need additional documents such as visas, travel permits, working permits, letter of acceptance, proof of finance, health insurance, travel itinerary or other forms of identification. It's important to research and ensure that you meet all the entry requirements of the country you're visiting before you embark on your journey.