India government has started giving passports using new portal (
www.passportindia.gov.in) , i wanted to get my passport reissue so went to the PSK (Passport Seva Kendra) Chandigarh for the same. Since for the new process not much information is present online , i just thought to jot down what i know. Sorry for this being a very long guide. I have divided the things into steps , you can visit anything which is suitable for you. This post explains what happens inside the PSK office.
You have to take appointment in advance online using the website and visit the PSK as per time given to you. Just visit 30 minutes early then your appointment time. The whole process ( upto 90% ) is handled by people from TCS and the rest 10% is handled by official sarkari babus ( You will feel the difference of attitude)
When you will go to PSK Chandigarh ( or any other) the guard at main gate will ask your appointment time and will allow you to enter after checking the printout of online application confirmation.
If you are applying in Tatkal , collect the declaration form from the Photostat guy , he will take 1 Rs for the same. You can also get your documents Photostat if required by paying the money.
Get documents checked
Stand in the first line ( from right) TCS people will check the documents / originals and ask you to show them all of them. They can ask you to complete any in compete documents if required , so better check before leaving from home that you have all documents. You can write mail to them
helpdesk@passportindia.gov.in or call at 1800-258-1800 . If all the documents are correct you will be asked to go to next guy for getting Token
Get the token
Visit counter to get the token , if you have visited banks like ICICI the process is the same. Get the token , wait for your turn and go to required office people when your turn come. They will place your documents in file and given the token to you. On the token some number like N 56 , T 23 , W 34 etc is written depending upon in which category you are applying passport. ( N for normal , T for Tatkal , W for document service like PPC etc). Get your token and you are ready to go to next stage.
On the token counter number A > B > C > Exit have been marked . You have to visit all of these 4 counters . Don't confuse Exit is also one counter
Wait for your turn
In the waiting place find some seat and just watch those computer screens. On that token numbers and counter numbers are written . Just visit the same counter as and when your turn comes.
Getting Photographed and fees deposit ( Counter A)
Only at this counter you will be spending most of time , a pleasant smile will welcome you ( you are still in TCS zone) to sit and show your documents. The associate will check your documents and put them in sequence and attach them to file. You will be asked to pay the required fees. Also your photographed will be taken along with finger prints. Your documents will be scanned and saved in the computer. At the end you will be given your file and fees receipt ( you will need this later ) and you are ready to go to next person
Sarakari babu zone ( Counter B)
Just go to the same place where you were waiting earlier , just adjacent to that place there is one more LCD on which information for going to sarkari babu counters will be shown. Just don't worry TCS people will be there to assist you as and when required. After waiting for sometime again your turn will come and you will meet the verifying officer. Officer will check all what has been done by TCS guys and approve it , if all is set.
For my application he objected for something , and i visited APO ( Area Passport Officer ) to resolve the same. Thanks for TCS team cooperation only because of you guys it was done.
Final Sarkari check (Counter C)
The sarkari babu will make final check and finally approve your application.
Exit counter
The Exit counter is again handled by TCS people so smile can welcome you , don't be astonished if you get it. :) , he will just see the fees receipt and finally a acknowledgement will be issued to you giving summary of your application process.
That's it , your application is done and you can
track your passport application online at or by calling passport office helpdesk at 1800-258-1800 also.
It was great experience , totally opposite to what i had last time in passport office Chandigarh 34 sector. The process is new , its great. Kudos to people behind the project. I am sure this will be of great help for all of us when its available for people all around India.
For TCS :
If you are from TCS reading this for feedback , my first thought . Just awesome work by your team. The whole experience was just great to get passport application being processed.
Just one suggestion in those LCD displays make those columns of counter number and token number of separate colors its very confusing at the initial stage when you look at it. I was able to figure out only after some time how to read the information. 4 columns of same color and of similar types of fonts is not very usable
A brief overview about process like the one i have written when i enter the passport office / or on official website would be great. Just give the customer one printout or brief them what they will be going through. It will given them truly WOW experience.
And yes i would love to move to this project , i also work for TCS please if you can refer me for this project it shall be great :)
Your comments and questions are welcome , i shall try to answer them if i know.
PSK Chandigarh map
Passport Seva Kendra (PSK Chandigarh) Address
Plot No - 50, Adarsh Lifestyle Mall, II, Industrial Area, Chandigarh Phone : 0172—2639586
To reach it , just drop at Tribune chownk , there is Punjab Roadways workshop just beside the workshop there is one lane , go ahead and walk for 2-3 minutes you will see passport office board. Don't take Rickshaw its just 2 minutes walk.
Update on my passport
Applied on Monday , dispatched next day on Tuesday . So got it by Speed post in next two days. Overall i was very happy with this new service.
