Normal if you have a month; Tatkal (₹2,000 extra) if you need the booklet within days. Tatkal needs any three of the listed identity documents and is not available for some categories.

How long does police verification take?

In Normal mode it happens before printing and is the main variable — days in metros with clean records, weeks elsewhere. In Tatkal mode it happens after the passport is issued.

Where do I collect it?

You do not; it is dispatched by Speed Post to the address on the application, trackable with the tracking ID sent by SMS.

Get an Indian passport (fresh or reissue)

The passport process is almost entirely online until one appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra, where originals are checked, biometrics taken, and the file goes to police verification and printing. The choices that change the timeline are made in the form: Normal versus Tatkal, and the documents you can produce.

Register and fill the form

Create an account on passportindia.gov.in under your regional Passport Office.
Choose "Fresh" or "Reissue" and fill the online form, or download the e-form, fill it offline and upload it.
Use the Document Adviser on the portal to pick which proof of address, date of birth and identity you will bring.

Choose Normal or Tatkal and pay

Normal: ₹1,500 for a 36-page booklet, ₹2,000 for 60 pages. Tatkal: add ₹2,000. Minors under 18: ₹1,000 (Normal).
Tatkal requires any three of the specified identity documents (Aadhaar, voter ID, PAN, driving licence, a bank passbook with photo, and others) in original.
Pay online (card, net banking, UPI); the appointment calendar opens only after payment.

Book the PSK appointment

Pick a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office PSK; slots are released on a schedule, often in the morning.
Print the Application Reference Number (ARN) receipt or keep the SMS; it is your appointment ticket.

The appointment

Carry originals and one set of self-attested copies of each document, plus the ARN receipt.
Counter A: document check and photo/biometrics. Counter B: verification officer. Counter C: granting officer.
You leave with an acknowledgement; the status moves to "granted" or to police verification.

Police verification

Normal mode: the local police station contacts you or visits; keep ID and address proof ready and be reachable on the phone number given.
Tatkal mode: the passport prints first and verification follows; a clear report closes the file, an adverse one triggers a notice.
Track the status on the portal or via the mPassport Seva app.

Dispatch and delivery

Printing and dispatch follow the granted status; Speed Post tracking arrives by SMS.
Someone must sign for the delivery at the application address; an undelivered booklet returns to the Passport Office.

Questions

Normal or Tatkal?: Normal if you have a month; Tatkal (₹2,000 extra) if you need the booklet within days. Tatkal needs any three of the listed identity documents and is not available for some categories.
How long does police verification take?: In Normal mode it happens before printing and is the main variable — days in metros with clean records, weeks elsewhere. In Tatkal mode it happens after the passport is issued.
Where do I collect it?: You do not; it is dispatched by Speed Post to the address on the application, trackable with the tracking ID sent by SMS.

Sources

The numbers above come from these pages. If a fee or date here disagrees with the source, the source wins.

Report an outdated step

Get an Indian passport (fresh or reissue)

Register and fill the form

Choose Normal or Tatkal and pay

Book the PSK appointment

The appointment

Police verification

Dispatch and delivery

Questions

Sources

See also

Register a private limited company in India (SPICe+)

Register a trademark in India

1Register and fill the form

2Choose Normal or Tatkal and pay

3Book the PSK appointment

4The appointment

5Police verification

6Dispatch and delivery

Questions

Sources

See also

Register a private limited company in India (SPICe+)

Register a trademark in India

Register and fill the form

Choose Normal or Tatkal and pay

Book the PSK appointment

The appointment

Police verification

Dispatch and delivery