Student Passport in India

Proof of Address for the current residence: 

• Aadhaar card 
• Latest utility bill (water or electricity)
• Telephone bill
• First and last page of the parent/legal guardian’s passport in case of a minor 
• Registered rental agreement
• Photocopy of the passbook of an active bank account
• Income tax assessment order 
• Voter ID
• Proof of gas connection 

Proof of Birth: 

• Birth Certificate
• Secondary school leaving certificate issued by a recognized board/educational institution 
• PAN card having the date of birth of the applicant 
  

• Driving licence having the date of birth of the applicant 

• Election Photo Identity Card having the date of birth of the applicant 

The PAN card, driving licence and Election Photo Identity Card are accepted as a proof of birth only if they carry the precise date of birth of the applicant. 

Carry the original documents along with one set of self-attested photocopies of each to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). For minor applicants, a proof of address in the name of the parent(s) can be submitted, and the documents can be attested by the parents. 

Student Passport Fee Structure

Applicants have to pay a fee of Rs.2,500 for a fresh 36-page passport if they are aged 18 years or above, and Rs.1,750 if they are minors below 18 years. The payment should be made online while booking an appointment with the Passport ServiceSeva Kendra. Given below are the ways through which one can make the payment.

• Internet banking
• Debit card
• Credit card
• UPI
• SBI Wallet
  The fee for each category of applicant is given in the table below. Applicants who apply under the Tatkal scheme pay the Tatkal fee in addition to the normal fee.
  

How to Renew a Student Passport in India

You can apply for a re-issue of your passport when its validity is about to end or has ended, when its pages are exhausted, or when it is lost, damaged or needs a change in personal particulars. Passports are typically valid for 10 years from the date of issue, but for minors (under 18) , the validity period is five years or until they turn 18, whichever is earlier. Minors aged 15 to 18 can opt for a ten-year passport. To apply for a new passport, you can follow the steps given below:

1. Visit the official website of Passport Seva. 
2. Register or log in by filling in the credentials.
3.  Select the option “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport".
4. Complete the form correctly and schedule the appointment. 
5. Pay the required fees online and get the print. 
6. Visit the passport office on the day of appointment with the required documents. 

Note: The application form has to be filled in online, and you then visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) on the day of your appointment.

Documents Required for Student Passport Renewal  

Here is a checklist of the documents that you will need to bring for your passport renewal:  

• Your old passport 

• Self-attested copies of the following pages:  

• First 2 and last 2 pages  

• Page of observation

• ECR/non-ECR page  

Proof of address is needed only if your present address is different from the address in your old passport. 

Police Verification for Student Passports in India 

• Police verification is a crucial step in the passport issuance process in India, aimed at confirming the applicant's identity and residence.  
• The procedure may vary by state, necessitating contact with the local police station to ascertain the required documents for identity verification. 
• Commence the passport reissue application on the Passport Seva website, facilitating a streamlined police verification process.  
• The website also furnishes a comprehensive list of local police stations for easy accessibility. 
• Upon verifying your identity, the police generate a report sent to Passport Seva Kendra. Once the Police Verification Report (PVR) is received, passport authorities dispatch your renewed passport within three working days. This systematic approach ensures a secure and efficient passport reissue process. 

Police verification can be carried out before the passport is issued (pre-police verification), after the passport is issued (post-police verification) or not at all. In the case of pre-police verification, the passport is dispatched within three working days of receiving the Police Verification Report, while in the case of post-police verification and no police verification, it is dispatched on the third working day after you submit your application. 

How Long Does it Take to Get a Student Passport? 

• The entire passport issuance process typically spans between 25 to 30 days, but there are methods to accelerate this timeline and expedite your application. 
• One approach is to ensure timely submission of all necessary supporting documents for your Student Passport in India. By doing so early in the process, you can mitigate any potential unforeseen delays. 
• Alternatively, you may opt for an expedited service option, such as the Tatkal service, available on the Passport Seva portal, for processing expedited applications.

As per the Citizen's Charter of Passport Seva, a fresh passport is issued in up to 30 working days, excluding the police verification period, and a Tatkal passport in up to three working days for eligible applicants. 

Under the Tatkal scheme, applicants above the age of 18 have to submit any three documents, and applicants below 18 any two documents, from the list of acceptable documents on Passport Seva, such as an Aadhaar card, a PAN card or a student photo identity card, along with the address and birth proofs. 

Eligibility Criteria for Student Passport in India

To qualify for a student passport in India, certain eligibility requirements must be fulfilled. Adhering to these criteria is crucial to ensure a smooth and compliant application process: 

• The applicant must hold Indian citizenship. 
• For minors applying for a student passport in India, parental approval and their attestation are mandatory. 
• If the applicant is an adult, they can self-attest their application form and documents. 
• Applicants below the age of 18 are eligible for non-ECR status till they turn 18.
• Passport Seva does not have a separate eligibility category or document list for students, and admission or enrolment proof is not part of its document lists for a fresh passport.
• For minor applicants, both parents should ideally sign Annexure D and be present at the Passport Seva Kendra, or one parent can be present with the passports of both parents.  

Student Passport vs Normal Passport in India

For an Indian student who wants to study overseas, getting a passport is crucial. It makes it possible to travel abroad without requiring an Indian visa in advance and makes it simple to return to India.

The Passport Seva Kendra processes student passports for both domestic and foreign use. For students hoping to study abroad, they offer a seamless and complete travel document with the same validity term and restrictions as regular passports. 

How to Apply for a Student Passport in India?  

Student passports are valid for travel abroad and are not any different from regular passports. Thus, the prerequisites for a student passport are the same as those for a regular passport:   

1. Visit the official website of Passport Seva
2. Register or log in to fill the details accurately 
3. Keep the original documents such as identity proof, address proof and date of birth proof ready, along with one set of self-attested photocopies of each, to carry to your appointment.
4. Submit the form and schedule an appointment. 
5. Pay the required fee and take the printout of the Application Receipt.
6. On the date of the appointment, you need to visit the passport office with your application receipt and original documents with one set of self-attested photocopies.
7. You will get an acknowledgement slip through which you can track your application status.

All applicants, including infants, must be physically present at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or the Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) to give their biometrics and photographs.

Summary

A student passport in India is a regular Indian passport that students apply for through Passport Seva, with the documents, fees and process explained above. Keep your proof of address and proof of birth ready, check the current fee for your age group and book your appointment early so that the passport reaches you before your admission and visa dates. Start your application on the Passport Seva portal today.