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How to check passport status — Passport Seva Kendra tracker + Tatkal SLA (2026)

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—check-status:passport-status [2026/04/25 18:55] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>metatag-keywords=(passport status check, passport seva status, file number tracking, tatkal passport status, passport application status)
 +metatag-description=(Track passport with your File Number on passportindia.gov.in. Normal SLA 21 days post-PV; Tatkal 1-3 days. Plus what to do if PV is adverse or printing is stuck.)}}
 +
 +====== How to check passport status — Passport Seva Kendra tracker + Tatkal SLA (2026) ======
 +
 +{{page>snippets:dpdp-banner}}
 +
 +<WRAP info>**Direct answer.** Open **passportindia.gov.in** → **Track Application Status** → enter your **File Number** + Date of Birth. Status updates color-coded: Green (next stage), Amber (waiting), Red (action required). Normal passport SLA: **21 days** post police verification. Tatkal: **1-3 days** post-PV.</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Quick facts =====
 +| **What you need** | File Number from PSK appointment receipt + Date of Birth |
 +| **Official portal** | [[https://passportindia.gov.in|passportindia.gov.in]] |
 +| **Mobile app** | mPassport Seva (Android/iOS) |
 +| **SLA — Normal** | 21 working days post Police Verification |
 +| **SLA — Tatkal** | 1-3 working days post-PV (no PV in some cases) |
 +| **SLA — Re-issue** | 15 days normal, 7 days Tatkal |
 +| **Helpline** | **1800-258-1800** (toll-free, 24/7) · MADAD: madad.gov.in |
 +| **Statutory base** | Passports Act 1967 + Passport Rules 1980 |
 +
 +===== Step-by-step =====
 +  - Find your **File Number** on the receipt from PSK or Post Office PSK (POPSK).
 +  - Visit [[https://passportindia.gov.in|passportindia.gov.in]] → top right "Track Application Status".
 +  - Enter File Number (15 digits) + Date of Birth + captcha.
 +  - Status timeline shows: Application Submitted → Police Verification → Granted → Printing → Despatched. Each stage colour-coded.
 +  - For **Tatkal**, PV may be deferred until after issuance ("Post-Police Verification"). Check delivery via India Post tracking number on the same portal.
 +  - If status shows "Adverse Police Report" — see our [[:rti-for-police-verification-passport|RTI for Police Verification adverse remarks]] guide.
 +
 +===== Real story from a citizen =====
 +**What we hear from RTI Wiki users**: Meera, a 31-year-old IT consultant in Pune, applied for Tatkal passport for an urgent UK conference. Status sat at "Police Verification Pending" for 14 days despite Tatkal's 1-3 day SLA. She filed an RTI under §6 (citing §7(1) life-and-liberty 48-hour proviso for urgent travel) to SP-CID Pune asking (a) PV file location, (b) reason for delay beyond 3-day Tatkal SLA, (c) officer-in-charge contact. Reply in 36 hours showed the file was wrongly routed to a different police station. Re-routed; PV done in 24 hours; passport delivered in time.
 +
 +===== 7 reasons your status may be stuck =====
 +  * **Police Verification adverse remarks** — most common stuck reason. Police flagged criminal record, address mismatch, or unverified identity. Fix: separate RTI to SP-CID for adverse-remark reasons.
 +  * **Address proof rejected** — utility bill > 1 month old or rent agreement not registered. Fix: submit fresh proof.
 +  * **Document mismatch** — name/DOB on PAN/Aadhaar doesn't match application. Fix: gazette notification or affidavit.
 +  * **Marriage certificate or divorce decree missing** for surname change. Fix: upload via portal.
 +  * **Tatkal eligibility unclear** — applied without strong urgency proof. Fix: re-submit with confirmed visa, ticket, medical letter.
 +  * **Stuck at "Printing" for >7 days** — printing centre delay (Bengaluru/Hyderabad). File RTI to RPO for printing-queue status.
 +  * **Returned undelivered** — addressee unavailable. India Post returned to RPO. Fix: re-arrange delivery.
 +
 +===== Pro tips most don't know =====
 +  * **Tatkal** route is faster (1-3 days post-PV) but costs Rs. 3,500 (Rs. 1,500 normal + Rs. 2,000 Tatkal premium). Worth it for genuine urgency.
 +  * **Aadhaar-based ECNR** (Emigration Check Not Required) is automatic for senior citizens, ITR-filers, and graduates — no separate ECR endorsement needed.
 +  * **Post Office PSKs (POPSKs)** are often less crowded than full PSKs — check [[https://www.passportindia.gov.in|passportindia.gov.in]] for your nearest. Same fees, same processing.
 +  * **Children's passports** valid only 5 years (under 18). Re-issue at 18 without delay; expired children's passports often stuck due to mistaken assumption of standard 10-year validity.
 +  * **MADAD grievance portal** ([[https://madad.gov.in|madad.gov.in]]) is faster than RTI for non-PV-related delays — typically 7-14 day disposal.
 +
 +===== Helpline + contact =====
 +Passport Seva: **1800-258-1800** (24/7) · MEA MADAD: madad.gov.in · Email: helpdesk@passportindia.gov.in · Twitter: @%%PassportSevaMEA%%
 +
 +===== If status is delayed beyond SLA — file an RTI =====
 +
 +The official SLA on this service is published. If your status is stuck beyond it, you have a **statutory right** under §6 RTI Act 2005 to demand information from the public authority. Reply mandatory in **30 days**.
 +
 +**File an RTI to**: //Regional Passport Office (RPO) + SP-CID/Special Branch (for PV)//
 +
 +**Ask these 5 questions**:
 +
 +  - date file reached PV stage
 +  - officer-in-charge of PV
 +  - status of PV report
 +  - reason for delay beyond 21-day SLA
 +  - projected printing/dispatch
 +
 +→ **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|Use our free AI RTI Drafter]]** to generate a complete §6(1) application in 60 seconds. The Drafter pre-fills your name, address, fee statement, and the 5 questions above.
 +
 +→ **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|Or speak it]]** in हिन्दी / English / 9 other Indian languages via %%AwaazRTI%%.
 +
 +→ **For deeper case-law** on this scenario: [[:rti-for-passport-status|Read the full RTI guide for passport status]].
 +
 +===== Frequently asked questions =====
 +  * **Q: How to check passport status without file number?** — Use Aadhaar number at the same portal — works if Aadhaar was linked at application.
 +  * **Q: What to do if police verification is adverse?** — File RTI to SP-CID for adverse-remark text under §4(1)(d). Then represent to RPO with rebuttal documents.
 +  * **Q: Tatkal vs Normal — when worth it?** — Tatkal if travel is < 1 month away. Normal otherwise — saves Rs. 2,000.
 +  * **Q: Can I track via SMS?** — Yes — SMS "STATUS <File Number>" to 9704100100.
 +  * **Q: What if passport is lost?** — Re-issue (not duplicate) — file FIR + apply for re-issue at PSK. Tatkal route available. RTI for adverse PV if your previous passport was cancelled.
 +
 +===== Summary + what to do next =====
 +
 +To check status: use the official portal listed above with your reference number. SLA is published; if stuck beyond it, file a free RTI.
 +
 +  * **If status is normal** → wait the published SLA, then download/use your document
 +  * **If status is delayed** → click [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|🪄 AI RTI Drafter]] now; complete §6 application in 60 seconds
 +  * **If status is rejected** → demand reasons under §4(1)(d) RTI Act; appeal/represent
 +  * **For state-specific guidance** → see [[:state-rti-portals-directory|state-by-state guide]]
 +
 +===== All RTI Wiki tools (free, no login) =====
 +
 +  * 🪄 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/ai-rti-draft-app.html|AI RTI Drafter]]** — type problem, get §6 application
 +  * 🎤 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI]]** — voice-to-RTI in 11 Indian languages
 +  * 🔮 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-outcome-predictor.html|Outcome Predictor]]** — score your draft's win-likelihood
 +  * ⚖️ **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/first-appeal-app.html|First Appeal Generator]]** — §19(1) draft on Day 31
 +  * 📬 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/pio-reply-checker-app.html|PIO Reply Checker]]** — analyse evasive replies
 +  * 📅 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/timeline-calculator-app.html|Timeline Calculator]]** — track 30-day window
 +  * 💰 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-fee-calculator-app.html|Fee Calculator]]** — state-wise fees
 +  * 🔍 **[[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-research.html|RTI Research]]** — AI Q&A from this site
 +
 +===== Related on RTI Wiki =====
 +
 +  * **Master guide**: [[:rti-for-passport-status|Full RTI for passport status]]
 +  * **State-by-state**: [[:state-rti-portals-directory|Pick your state]]
 +  * **Citizen RTI playbook**: [[:citizen-rti-playbook|All 100+ scenarios]]
 +  * **The RTI Act 2005**: [[:rti-act-2005-complete-guide|Complete guide]]
 +  * **All status-check guides**: [[:check-status:start|All 25 status-check pages]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +
 +  * RTI Act 2005 §§6, 7, 19
 +  * Official portal (linked in Quick Facts)
 +  * Statute referenced in Quick Facts
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>check status passport status status-check citizen-help free-tool}}
  

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