Step-by-step guide: What happens after you apply for a passport in Telangana

Hyderabad: Ever wondered what goes behind the making of a passport? From filing the application to doorstep delivery of the much-awaited passport, here’s a step-by-step look at how the process works in Telangana.

Significance of PSKs and POPSKs

In Telangana, the Hyderabad RPO caters to the state’s needs, supported by Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs).

“We process an average of 4,500 applications every day across our centres, of which about 2,800 to 3,000 passports are printed and dispatched daily from Hyderabad,” said J Snehaja, RPO Hyderabad, speaking to NewsMeter.

Infrastructure in Telangana

• Telangana has one RPO in Hyderabad.

• There are 14 POPSKs and five PSKs.

• Centres have recently been shifted or upgraded for accessibility and capacity. For instance, the Tolichowki PSK was relocated to Dilsukhnagar and the Karimnagar centre was moved to a building with lifts, parking and better public facilities.

“We ensure that every parliamentary constituency has either a PSK or a POPSK. The idea is to make passport services accessible to all citizens,” said Snehaja.

Step 1: Application Online

The passport process begins online at passportindia.gov.in. Applicants create a login ID, fill in details, upload documents through DigiLocker if available, pay fees and schedule an appointment.

• Up to five applications can be made under one login ID.

• Minor errors in the form can be corrected at the centre during biometrics.

• Appointment rescheduling is allowed up to two times.

“A normal passport costs Rs 1,500. For Tatkal, the fee is Rs 3,500,” clarified Snehaja.

Step 2: Visit PSK or POPSK

On the appointment date, the applicant visits the chosen centre.

• At PSKs, all stages, document check, biometrics, verification and granting, are completed on site.

• At POPSKs, only biometrics and document upload are done; verification and granting happen at the RPO back office.

Biometrics include fingerprints, photographs and digital signatures. For infants, passport-sized photographs must be carried.

Step 3: Verification and Granting

The process has three stages:

1. Document check – staff upload and validate supporting papers.

2. Verification – officers compare originals with uploaded copies.

3. Granting – a passport officer approves, holds or requests additional documents.

Depending on the case, police verification can be:

• Post-police verification – passport is issued first, verification happens later (e.g., Tatkal or minor cases).

• Pre-police verification – a passport is issued only after the police report.

“In Telangana, we complete police verification in just two to three days on average. This is among the fastest in the country,” Snehaja noted.

Step 4: Printing and Dispatch

Once cleared, passports are printed in Hyderabad and dispatched by India Post.

• Within Hyderabad city, delivery is usually the next day.

• In districts, delivery takes about two to three working days.

Different timelines

• Normal passport: within one week, if documents are in order.

• Tatkal passport: within one to three working days.

Delays usually occur when applicants fail to submit complete documents.

Accessibility and citizen support

• Weekly Thursday walk-ins at the RPO allow citizens without online inquiry appointments to resolve issues.

“On average, 700–800 people come on Thursdays. We clear every case the same day,” Snehaja said.

• Online inquiry appointments (250 released every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday) are also available.

• Dedicated email, Twitter and WhatsApp services help citizens check application status.

E-Passports

Since March 2025, Hyderabad has issued only e-passports, which carry an embedded chip.

“This makes immigration faster and enhances security by preventing fraudulent duplication or manipulation of passports,” said Snehaja. The change aligns with ICAO guidelines.

Special situations

The RPO also prioritises humanitarian cases.

“There have been instances where people lost loved ones abroad or had urgent medical needs. When satisfied with proof, we have issued passports within one or two hours,” Snehaja shared.

Citizen-centric initiatives

The Hyderabad RPO recently received a national award for citizen-centric initiatives. These include:

• Rainwater harvesting at RPO buildings.

• Accessibility-friendly centres near metro stations.

• Special exhibitions, such as a year-long display on the Constitution.

• Dedicated Thursday walk-in grievance redressal.

The bottom line

From applying online to delivery at the doorstep, the passport life cycle is designed to be efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly. In Telangana, upgrades to infrastructure and processes have reduced waiting times and improved accessibility.

“Over 90 per cent of applications are processed smoothly without any delay. The few that take longer are usually due to incomplete documentation. Our aim is to ensure that every citizen who needs a passport gets it in the shortest possible time,” said Snehaja.