How to apply — 25 step-by-step guides for India government services
Single landing page for India's 25 most-asked “how to apply for X” queries. Each guide has: direct answer → eligibility → step-by-step → fee + timeline → required documents → common issues → RTI escalation if delayed.
See also: Master index — 98 step-by-step apply guides for 2026 — a wider companion hub to this 25-guide overview.
Identity & Citizenship
- Aadhaar enrolment — UIDAI Seva Kendra, 30 days, free
- PAN card — instant e-PAN free OR NSDL Rs 107
- Indian passport — Normal 30 days / Tatkaal 3-7 days
- Driving Licence — LL + PDL, ~75 days total
- Voter ID (EPIC) — Form 6, 30 days, free
Civil Records
- Birth certificate — within 21 days free, late with affidavit
- Death certificate — within 21 days free, late with delay fee
- Marriage certificate — HMA registration / SMA court marriage
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) — Tehsildar, 30 days
- Income certificate — Tehsildar, 7-15 days
- Domicile / Residence certificate — Tehsildar, 15-30 days
Welfare & Subsidy Schemes
- Ration card (NFSA) — state portal, free, 30 days
- PMAY housing subsidy — Urban CLSS / Gramin Rs 1.2L
- PM-KISAN — Rs 6,000/year, online registration
- Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) — Rs 5L/year health cover, free
- Scholarship via NSP — 80+ schemes, scholarships.gov.in
- MGNREGA job card — 100 days work guarantee, free
- e-Shram card — unorganised worker UAN + Rs 2L insurance
Business & Commercial
- Udyam MSME registration — free, instant if Aadhaar+PAN match
- GST registration — free, 3-7 days
- FSSAI licence (food business) — Basic Rs 100/yr to Central Rs 7,500/yr
- Trade Licence (municipal) — Rs 500-5,000/year
- Shop & Establishment (Gumasta) — labour department, 7-15 days
Property & Verification
- Property mutation (Namantaran) — municipal/Tehsildar, 30-60 days
- Police Verification Certificate (PCC) — passport / employment / visa
When something goes wrong
Every guide above ends with an RTI escalation template — most delayed applications clear within 15 days of an RTI being filed.
- AI RTI Drafter: Auto-fill PIO + Act sections
- Track applications: 25 status-check guides
- Required documents reference: 30 documents-required checklists
- State portals: All state RTI portals
- Talk to citizens like you: AwaazRTI community
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.