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+{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(how to apply lost passport,duplicate passport India,re-issue passport lost,Annexure F lost passport,passport FIR,Passport Act 1967,Passports Rules 1980,passport seva kendra PSK,RPO regional passport officer,Tatkal lost passport,police re-verification,passportindia.gov.in,1800-258-1800,emergency travel certificate,RTI passport delay)&metatag-description=(2026 guide to applying for a duplicate / re-issue Indian passport when the original is lost, stolen or damaged. FIR, Annexure-F, PSK appointment, fees, police re-verification, embassy abroad, and the escalation ladder — including when an RTI to the RPO actually helps.)}}
+====== How to apply for a lost or duplicate passport — complete 2026 guide ======
+{{ :social:auto:apply-lost-duplicate-passport-2026.png?direct&1200 |How to apply for a lost or duplicate passport India 2026 — RTI Wiki citizen guide}}
+{{page>snippets:dpdp-banner}}
+<WRAP info>
+**Quick answer.** If your Indian passport is lost or stolen, you must (a) **file an FIR** at the nearest police station the same day, and (b) apply online for a **Re-issue of Passport** at **https://passportindia.gov.in**, choosing reason **"Lost/Stolen Passport"** and attaching the FIR + a sworn **Annexure-F** affidavit. Fee: **₹3,500 normal (30 days)** or **₹4,500 Tatkal (7 working days, subject to police clearance)**. A re-verification by your local police is usually mandatory, even on Tatkal — typically 21-30 days. If you're abroad, apply at the nearest **Indian Embassy / Consulate**; you may need an **Emergency Certificate (EC)** for return travel before a full passport is reissued. Passport Helpline: **1800-258-1800** (toll-free).
+</WRAP>
+===== Sandeep's story — "Lost my passport at Mumbai airport. Got a new one in 4 weeks. RTI broke the deadlock." =====
+<WRAP center round box 80%>
+//Sandeep Joshi, 42, garments exporter from Mumbai. Got into a scuffle outside the international departures gate at CSMIA on the night of 8 March 2025. By the time he untangled himself, his passport (along with the boarding pass and ₹3,000 cash) was gone.//
+> "My Bangkok flight was at 1.45 am — gone. I stayed at the airport till morning. By 8 am I was at Sahar Police Station with my mobile, my Aadhaar, and the airline's lost-property docket. The duty officer initially tried 'NCR ho jayega, FIR baad mein' — I quoted Lalita Kumari (Supreme Court 2013, FIR mandatory for cognisable offence) and asked for the SHO. FIR registered as 'theft of passport' under §303 BNS by 11 am. Speed Post copy reached me on day 3. I applied for Re-issue (Tatkal) on passportindia.gov.in the same evening — uploaded FIR + Annexure-F + Aadhaar + ID. Fee ₹4,500. Got PSK Andheri appointment in 6 days; biometrics done. Then Tatkal **stalled**. The PSK said 'awaiting police re-verification'. I called Sahar PS — 'verification done long ago, file went to Special Branch'. I called Special Branch — 'kaam ho gaya, PSK ko bhej diya'. Round and round.
+> Day 24, I sent an RTI by Speed Post to PIO Mumbai Police Special Branch (Crawford Market) — fee ₹10 IPO, postage ₹52. I asked: (1) date when re-verification report for my passport file was completed, (2) date and reference number of dispatch to PSK Andheri, (3) name and rank of the dealing officer. **The reply came on day 21 from RTI.** Re-verification was indeed completed in week 2 — the file was lying unsigned on the ASI's desk because he had been on training leave. Within 4 days of the RTI, Special Branch dispatched the report; PSK printed my new passport (different number, fresh booklet) on day 28. **Total cost of the RTI: ₹62. Total bribe asked: zero. Total weeks: 4.**"
+—Sandeep, April 2025
+</WRAP>
+The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issues about **1.3 crore passports a year**. Of these, around **3-4 lakh are duplicate / re-issue applications for lost/stolen passports**. Police re-verification is the #1 pinch-point — RTI is the most reliable lever because the law requires PIOs to reply in 30 days regardless of internal file movement.
+===== What this is — and when you need it =====
+The Indian passport is a sovereign travel document issued under the **Passport Act, 1967** and the **Passports Rules, 1980**. The relevant legal anchors:
+  * **§5** of the Act — empowers the Passport Authority to issue, refuse, or cancel a passport.
+  * **§6** — grounds on which a passport may be refused (national security, criminal proceedings pending, undischarged bankrupt, sentence of more than 2 years, etc.).
+  * **Rule 9** of the 1980 Rules — application for a duplicate passport requires the prescribed form, a sworn affidavit, and (for lost passports) an FIR.
+  * **Rule 12** — re-issue of a passport (different from a fresh issue).
+  * **MEA Passport Manual** (latest revision 2024) — operating SOPs for Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), Regional Passport Offices (RPOs), and embassies abroad.
+You need this guide if:
+  * Your passport is **lost** (you can't find it; possibly stolen).
+  * Your passport is **stolen** (theft is established / FIR has been filed for theft).
+  * Your passport is **damaged** (water damage, torn pages, biometric chip dead, photo defaced) — note: damaged passports do **not** need an FIR; just apply for re-issue with reason "Damaged".
+Fresh applications (you've never had a passport) are different — see [[:apply-lost-duplicate-passport-2026|How to apply for a fresh Indian passport]] (separate guide on RTI Wiki).
+===== Step-by-step process — within India =====
+==== Step 1 — File an FIR (lost / stolen passports only) ====
+This is the **non-negotiable** first step for a lost or stolen passport. The Passport Manual + Rule 9 require an FIR copy at the application stage.
+  * Go to the **nearest police station** — does not have to be the PS where you lost it.
+  * Insist on an **FIR**, not just an NCR (Non-Cognisable Report) or "lost article report". Theft of property is a cognisable offence under **§303 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023** (replacing IPC §379), and the Supreme Court ruling in **Lalita Kumari v State of UP (2013)** mandates FIR registration for cognisable offences.
+  * If the SHO refuses, escalate immediately: ACP / DCP, then a written complaint to SP under **§173(4) of the BNSS, 2023**.
+  * Get a **certified copy** of the FIR (free of cost). Do NOT lose it.
+  * If you only get an NCR, the PSK may accept it for **lost** (not stolen); but Tatkal almost always requires an FIR.
+==== Step 2 — Prepare Annexure-F (Lost Passport Affidavit) ====
+Annexure-F is a sworn affidavit declaring how the passport was lost, where, when, and what efforts were made to recover it.
+  * Format is on https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in → Annexures → Annexure-F.
+  * Print on plain A4 (no stamp paper required), fill in by hand or type.
+  * Sign + get **notarised** by a Notary Public (₹100-300).
+  * Attach a passport-size photograph.
+==== Step 3 — Apply online on Passport Seva ====
+  * Go to https://passportindia.gov.in → "Register Now" (if first-time user) or "Existing User Login".
+  * Click **"Apply for Fresh Passport / Re-issue of Passport"** → choose **"Re-issue"**.
+  * Reason for re-issue → **"Lost Passport"** or **"Damaged Passport"** or **"Stolen Passport"**.
+  * Booklet type: 36 pages or 60 pages (60 pages costs ₹500 extra; choose if you travel a lot).
+  * Validity: 10 years (5 years for minors).
+  * **Tatkal or Normal** — Tatkal pays ₹2,000 extra and (in theory) gets your passport in 1-3 working days; in practice, lost-passport Tatkals are often slowed by police re-verification.
+  * Fill all personal details — they pre-fill from your old passport record once you enter old passport number.
+==== Step 4 — Upload supporting documents and pay the fee ====
+  * Upload:
+    - **FIR** (mandatory for lost/stolen).
+    - **Annexure-F** notarised.
+    - **PoI** (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN / Driving Licence).
+    - **PoA** (Aadhaar / electricity bill / rent agreement / bank passbook).
+    - **Date of birth proof** (Aadhaar / Birth certificate / SSC marksheet / old passport copy).
+    - **Old passport copy** — strongly helpful but not mandatory if not available.
+    - 4 recent photographs **(45 mm × 35 mm, white background)** — for in-person upload at PSK.
+  * Pay the fee online (NetBanking / UPI / Card / SBI Bank Challan).
+==== Step 5 — Book PSK / POPSK appointment ====
+  * Book the appointment through the same portal — pick a **Passport Seva Kendra (PSK)** in the city, or a **Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)** in smaller districts.
+  * Tatkal applications get priority slots, often within **3-5 days**.
+  * Print the appointment receipt — carry on the day.
+==== Step 6 — Visit the PSK ====
+  * Reach 15 minutes before slot time. Carry **all originals + one photocopy of each**.
+  * Three counters in sequence:
+    - **Counter A (token / scrutiny)** — biometrics + photograph + scrutiny of documents.
+    - **Counter B (verification)** — APO (Assistant Passport Officer) reviews + grants in-principle approval.
+    - **Counter C (granting)** — final approval; you receive a printed acknowledgement with your **File Number**.
+  * Average time inside PSK: **90 minutes** (Tatkal usually faster).
+==== Step 7 — Police re-verification ====
+This is the most opaque part. Even though you're re-applying with an FIR, the **local Special Branch / LIU (Local Intelligence Unit)** of police will re-verify your address, identity, and ensure no fresh adverse information.
+  * The local PS Constable / SI will visit your declared address — be available, or the file gets stalled.
+  * Keep the FIR copy + ID ready.
+  * For Tatkal applicants who already had **post-passport verification** earlier (i.e., police clearance was completed for the lost passport), re-verification may be waived — push for this.
+  * Track at https://portal2.passportindia.gov.in → "Track Application Status" using the File Number.
+==== Step 8 — Passport printed and dispatched ====
+  * Once police report is "Clear" (positive), the passport is printed at the India Security Press, Nashik, and dispatched by **Speed Post** to your registered address.
+  * Track via Speed Post tracking number visible on the portal.
+  * Total typical timeline: **Tatkal 7-15 days** (with smooth police verification), **Normal 30-45 days**.
+  * The new booklet may carry the **same passport number** (if old was within 10 years and recently issued) or a **fresh number**.
+===== Step-by-step — outside India =====
+If your passport is lost while abroad:
+  * **File a local police report (FIR equivalent)** in the country you're in — police station, gendarmerie, or hotel/airport security. Get a stamped copy.
+  * **Visit the nearest Indian Embassy / Consulate / High Commission** — list at https://www.mea.gov.in → "Indian Missions Abroad".
+  * **Three options** at the embassy:
+    - **Emergency Certificate (EC)** — single-journey document for **return to India only**, issued in 1-3 working days for ~US$15-30. Most common when you need to fly home urgently.
+    - **Duplicate Passport** — full re-issue at the embassy, usually 4-6 weeks (because police verification is done in India).
+    - **Tatkal Duplicate** — limited availability, only if you held a normal passport with police-verified status, ~10-15 days.
+  * Documents at embassy: lost-passport affidavit, local police report, copy of old passport (if any), local proof of identity (driver's licence / national ID), photographs.
+  * Fee varies by country — published on each mission's website.
+===== Sample fee + booklet + timeline table =====
+<code>
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| Fresh / Re-issue passport, 36   | ₹1,500 (normal); ₹3,500 (Tatkal)       |
+| pages, 10-year validity         |                                        |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| Fresh / Re-issue passport, 60   | ₹2,000 (normal); ₹4,000 (Tatkal)       |
+| pages, 10-year validity         |                                        |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| Re-issue for LOST or DAMAGED    | ₹3,000 (normal, 36p) / ₹3,500 (60p);   |
+| (separate higher slab)          | ₹4,500 (Tatkal, 36p) / ₹5,000 (60p)    |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| Minor (under 18), 36 pages,     | ₹1,000 (normal); ₹3,000 (Tatkal)       |
+| 5-year validity                 |                                        |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| Penalty for travelling on a     | ₹5,000 (in addition to re-issue fee)   |
+| lost passport / not reporting   |                                        |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| Emergency Certificate (abroad)  | ~US$15-30 country-dependent            |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| Annexure-F notarisation         | ₹100-300                               |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| FIR copy (within India)         | FREE (mandatory under BNSS §173)       |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| Timeline — Tatkal               | 7-15 working days (smooth case)        |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| Timeline — Normal               | 30-45 days; can stretch to 60-90 days  |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+| RTI to PIO RPO / Police Special | ₹10 by IPO. BPL = free with self-      |
+| Branch                          | declaration                            |
++---------------------------------+----------------------------------------+
+</code>
+===== Common reasons your duplicate passport gets stuck =====
+  * **FIR not registered** — police PS reluctant to register theft of passport, citing "you misplaced it". Quote Lalita Kumari and §173 BNSS, escalate to SHO/ACP. Without an FIR, lost-passport application is rejected.
+  * **Old passport details not retrievable** — if you lost the entire booklet, you may not remember the passport number. Use the "Know Your Passport Number" service on passportindia.gov.in (uses Aadhaar + DOB + name).
+  * **Police re-verification stalled** — the most common pinch point (see Sandeep's story). Special Branch / LIU is short-staffed; files lie unsigned. RTI breaks the deadlock.
+  * **Address proof mismatch with FIR address** — if you filed FIR in Bengaluru but applied with a Mumbai address, expect re-verification at both.
+  * **"Investigation pending"** — when the FIR is for theft and the case is still under investigation, the Police Verification Report (PVR) may say "Adverse" by default. Push for a clarificatory note from IO that you are the **complainant**, not the accused.
+  * **Tatkal denied citing "criminal case pending"** — sometimes the FIR you filed (for theft of your own passport) is wrongly tagged. Get a written clarification from the IO.
+  * **Old passport found** — if you find it after applying, you must **surrender** it at the PSK and inform the RPO. Travelling on a recovered "lost" passport that has been re-issued is a serious offence under §12 of the Passport Act (3 years imprisonment).
+  * **Penal entry on file** — if you've travelled on a lost passport before reporting it, a ₹5,000 penalty + warning entry is added; clearance only after payment.
+===== If stuck — the escalation ladder =====
+==== Rung 1 — Passport Seva Helpline ====
+  * **1800-258-1800** (toll-free, 8 am – 10 pm).
+  * Quote your File Number + ARN. They can read out the latest status from the back-end.
+  * Email: feedback@passportindia.gov.in
+==== Rung 2 — MADAD (Consular Services portal) — for those abroad ====
+  * https://madad.gov.in — register grievance against an Indian Mission abroad regarding passport / EC delay.
+  * SLA 30 days; routes to the head of mission.
+==== Rung 3 — Regional Passport Officer (RPO) ====
+  * Each PSK reports to a Regional Passport Officer. **38 RPOs** across India.
+  * Walk in to the RPO with your File Number, ID, and a short written grievance.
+  * The RPO can override a PSK delay or push the police LIU.
+==== Rung 4 — CPGRAMS (MEA) ====
+  * https://pgportal.gov.in → Ministry of External Affairs → Consular, Passport & Visa.
+  * Routes to a Joint Secretary; gets faster traction than PSK helpline for chronic delays.
+==== Rung 5 — Right to Information (RTI) ====
+The **Ministry of External Affairs** (which runs the Passport Seva Programme) and **State Police Departments** (which run police verification) are both **public authorities** under §2(h) of the RTI Act, 2005. PIOs are appointed at every RPO and at every Police Commissionerate / SP office.
+**RTI helps here when:**
+  * Your file shows "Pending Police Verification" for **more than 21 days** without movement. RTI to PIO of the relevant Police Special Branch / LIU → "date of receipt of verification request, current status, name and rank of dealing officer".
+  * Police verification is **complete** per the local PS but the PSK still says "awaiting" — RTI to PIO RPO → "date of receipt of PVR, dispatch tracking, current status".
+  * Your application is rejected without reason — RTI to PIO RPO → "specific grounds for rejection of File No. XXXX, with reference to the relevant section/rule".
+  * A bribe was solicited — RTI for the official fee schedule + complaint mechanism + audit log.
+  * Tatkal denied with a vague "criminal case pending" — RTI to RPO + Police PIO for the exact case reference.
+  * Your passport was dispatched per portal but never delivered — RTI to PIO India Post for the Speed Post tracking + delivery PoD (proof of delivery).
+For a copy-ready template, see: [[:rti-for-stuck-passport-application|RTI for stuck passport application — full template]].
+**RTI does NOT help here when:**
+  * You applied last week and want today's status — wait the published SLA window (Tatkal 3-7 days, Normal 30-45 days) before invoking RTI.
+  * You disagree with a Section 6 refusal (e.g., adverse intelligence input) — RTI cannot override; file a writ petition or appeal.
+  * You want the **content of the police verification report** itself — often partially exempt under §8(1)(g) (safety of source) or §8(1)(j) (third-party privacy). You can still get the **outcome** (Clear / Adverse) and the **dispatch trail**.
+  * You want the embassy abroad to "issue faster" — that's a discretionary administrative ask; raise via MADAD or CPGRAMS instead.
+  * You want the police to investigate the theft itself — that's an FIR-investigation matter under BNSS, not RTI.
+===== FAQs =====
+**Q. The police are refusing to file FIR for a lost passport. What now?**\\
+Quote **Lalita Kumari v State of UP (2013) 2 SCC 1** — FIR for cognisable offence is mandatory. Theft of any property, including a passport, is cognisable. Escalate to SHO → ACP → DCP. If still refused, file a complaint under **§173(4) BNSS** to the SP, or directly to the Magistrate under **§175(3) BNSS** (replacing the old §156(3) CrPC).
+**Q. Can I get a Tatkal passport for a lost one?**\\
+Yes — if you can produce a valid FIR + Annexure-F + your personal details match the old passport record. But police re-verification is mandatory in lost-passport Tatkals, and the 1-3 day printed-passport SLA is rarely met; expect 7-15 days realistically.
+**Q. My damaged passport's chip is dead. Do I need an FIR?**\\
+No. Damaged passports go through the "Damaged Passport" re-issue route — no FIR needed. Surrender the old booklet at the PSK on the appointment day.
+**Q. Will the new passport carry the same number?**\\
+Usually no — lost passports get a **fresh number** to prevent any future misuse of the old one. Damaged passport re-issues sometimes carry the same number if recent.
+**Q. What if I'm abroad and need to fly home urgently?**\\
+Get an **Emergency Certificate (EC)** from the nearest Indian mission. It's a single-journey return-to-India document. Apply for the duplicate passport once you're back home.
+**Q. What's the penalty for travelling on a lost passport?**\\
+₹5,000 + penalty entry on your file under the Passport Act §12. If misuse is suspected (wilful suppression, fraud), criminal charges including up to 3 years imprisonment.
+**Q. The police verification officer asked for ₹2,000. Should I pay?**\\
+No. Police verification is **free**. Refuse, ask the officer's name and number, and complain to the SHO and SP — also via CPGRAMS and an RTI for the audit trail. UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have prosecuted constables for passport-verification bribes in 2023-24.
+**Q. The PSK staff insist on a "VIP letter" or "agent". Should I use one?**\\
+No. Passport Seva is a self-service portal. Agents typically charge ₹2,000-5,000 for what you can do in 30 minutes online. Refuse the suggestion; if the PSK staff insist, file a CPGRAMS complaint + RTI for the audit log.
+**Q. I'm a senior citizen — any concession?**\\
+Yes. Senior citizens (60+), minors below 8, and physically challenged applicants get **fee concession of ₹1,000** for normal-issue passports (not for Tatkal). Carry age proof at PSK.
+===== Related on RTI Wiki =====
+  * [[:rti-for-stuck-passport-application|RTI for stuck passport application — copy-ready template]]
+  * [[:apply-new-aadhaar-enrolment-2026|How to enrol for a new Aadhaar — 2026 guide]]
+  * [[:apply-international-driving-permit-idp-2026|How to apply for an International Driving Permit — 2026]]
+  * [[:rti-for-beginners|RTI in 12 simple steps — for first-time filers]]
+  * [[:helplines:start|All Indian government helplines — one master directory]]
+  * [[:forms:start|RTI forms + state-wise fee chart]]
+//Last reviewed: 26 April 2026 by RTI Wiki editorial team. Passport fees and Tatkal SLAs are revised periodically by MEA — verify the current schedule on passportindia.gov.in or write to admin@bighelpers.in if you spot a stale figure.//
+{{tag>passport lost-passport duplicate-passport re-issue passport-act-1967 passports-rules-1980 annexure-f fir psk popsk rpo tatkal mea passport-seva passport-helpline rti-passport citizen-guide help-first 2026}}

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