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If you have already traveled abroad or are planning to go overseas in 2024, then a passport is a must-have document. But, have you ever thought about the colour of your passport? What does it mean? Well! the colour of your passport holds a significant meaning? Let us read on to find out about it.
Types of Indian Passport
People are issued 4 types of passports in India based on their occupation and educational qualifications. The colour varies with each. Here is a table that presents a summary of the different types.
Type | Use | Colour |
|---|---|---|
Ordinary Passport - given to ordinary citizens | Used by foreign authorities to differentiate between ordinary citizens and official representatives of the government | Blue |
White Passport - given to Indian government officials who officially travel abroad | Used by customs and immigration officers to identify government officials and treat them appropriately. | White |
Orange Passport - Given to people who are qualified lower than tenth standard. | It protects them from being scammed when they seek work overseas. It also helps them clear ECR and the emigration process easily. | Orange |
Diplomat Passport - Issued to diplomats and government employees who are travelling overseas on official business | Eliminates the need for a Visa and also makes immigration clearance faster | Maroon |
Ordinary Passport
This document is a common passport issued to regular Indian nationals in India for business trips, educational tours, or vacations taken leisurely. Most people in India are issued this passport. It is known as Passport type P and is Blue in colour. It contains the traveler’s name, date of birth, and photographs. It also holds additional important identity information that is required for immigration. It has a modern and simple design. It is used by foreign authorities to distinguish between ordinary citizens and official representatives of the government.White Passport
This passport is the most prestigious passport held and is issued only to individuals who work for the Government of India, it is known as Passport Type S, where S stands for service. Those who possess this passport can get access to a host of special privileges. The application process for this passport varies from that of the common blue passport. Customs and immigration officials use this to recognise government representatives and treat them according to their ranks.
Orange Passport
The government started issuing orange-coloured passports in 2018. This passport is issued to people who have not studied beyond the tenth standard. It safeguards them when they seek to work abroad and ensures they are not scammed. Further, it expedites the ECR verification and emigration process. Coming to the appearance, it looks completely different from others with easily readable pages and a slim design. The last page holding crucial details like the name of the traveller’s father and the permanent address is absent unlike in other passports.
Diplomat Passport
A diplomat passport is issued to senior government officials and Indian diplomats. It comes with a maroon-coloured cover. It is essential to know the difference between diplomatic passports and white passports. The former is issued to any government representative planning to undertake an international trip but does not have the white passport already. Those who are part of the bureaucracy like IAS, IFS, IPS officers etc. are eligible for this. Diplomat passport holders can avail of special privileges. For eg. They don’t require a visa for overseas travel regardless of the duration of their stay. Moreover, immigration is swifter for these officials compared to common passport holders.
Essential Documents For Applying For A Passport
- Address Proof: Aadhaar card, electricity bill, rent agreement, spouse’s passport copy, telephone or post paid mobile bill, your bank account passbook, etc.
- Proof of Date of birth: Birth certificate, school transfer/leaving certificate, voter ID card, PAN card
Application Fees for Various Passport Types in India
The application fees for passports remain the same across all types. It only differs when there is a request for a duplicate passport.
Purpose | Application Fee | Additional Tatkal Fee |
|---|---|---|
New passport/Re-issue of passport with 36 pages of Validity 10 years | Rs. 1,500 | Rs. 2,000 |
New passport or re-issue of passport with 60 pages of 10 years validity. | Rs. 2,000 | Rs. 2,000 |
Fresh passport issuance for minors (Below 18 years of age) with 5 year validity or till the minor reaches 18 years of age, whichever is earlier. | Rs. 1,000 | Rs. 2,000 |
Replacement of passport if lost, damaged, or stolen (36 pages) | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 2,000 |
Replacement of passport if lost, damaged, or stolen (60 pages) | Rs. 3,500 | Rs. 2,000 |
Police Clearance Certificate | Rs. 500 | NA |
Replacement of passport for deleting ECR or for updating personal details (36 pages passport with 10 year validity) | Rs. 1,500 | Rs. 2,000 |
Replacement of passport for deleting ECR or for updating personal details (60 pages passport with 10 year validity) | Rs. 2,000 | Rs. 2,000 |
Replacement of passport for minors (Below 18 years of age) or till the minor reaches 18 years of age, whichever is earlier. | Rs. 1,000 | Rs. 2,000 |
How To Apply For A New Passport In India?
Step 1: Go to the Passport Seva Online Portal.
Step 2: If you are not a registered user, proceed to register by clicking on the “Register Now” link on the home page.
Step 3: After registering, login to the Passport Seva Online portal using the registered login ID and password.
Step 4: Click the link “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport”
Step 5: Complete the form by filling in the required details and then submit
Step 6: Schedule an appointment by clicking the “Pay and Schedule” appointment link on the “View Saved/Submitted Applications” screen
Make the online payment by using any of the following methods:
- Credit/Debit Card (Mastercard and Visa)
- Internet Banking ( Associate Banks of SBI and other Banks)
- SBI Bank Challan
Step 7: Print the application receipt containing the application reference number (ARN) or appointment number by clicking the “Print Application Receipt” link
Step 8: Visit the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) Regional Passport Office at the time of the appointment. Carry all the essential documents with you.
The Benefits and Uses of the Indian Passport
- It acts as an identity proof, proof of your nationality, and address proof.
- All the details about your international travels are recorded in the passport
- It makes you eligible for international internships and exchange programmes
- You can travel to 58 countries worldwide using the Indian passport. An Indian passport gives you visa-free access to Albania, Serbia, Oman, Qatar, the Caribbean, and other countries.
- While travelling overseas, you can seek assistance from the councils of Indian embassies and consulates.
- To stay temporarily in some foreign countries, you will need a Visa. Without a valid passport, you cannot obtain a Visa. It is issued and stamped in the passport book.
- Children with an Indian passport are eligible for free primary, secondary, and higher education in English.
- University students with an Indian passport have access to grants.
- An Indian passport enables you to work or open a company concentrating on regional or international business.
What is the Validity and Expiry of a Passport?
The validity of your passport is for 10 years regardless of the type. So, renew it before it expires. Nowadays renewal of all types of passports can be done easily online. If it lapses, then you will have to apply for a ‘Reissue of Passport’. If the expiration is for more than 3 years, then you will have to pass through fresh police verification.
FAQs on Passport Types in India:
1. What is the colour of the IAS passport?
The passport issued to people who are employed in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) departments is the diplomatic passport which is maroon coloured. This is also known as the Type D passport.
2. What Are the Different Types of Passports in India with colour?
In India, there are three types of passports - Ordinary (blue cover), Diplomatic (maroon cover), and Official (white cover). Each passport serves specific purposes, with distinct colors representing their respective categories, ensuring efficient identification and categorization for travelers.
3. What is an official passport in india?
An official passport in India is a specialized travel document issued to individuals representing the government on official business. It has a distinctive white cover, distinguishing it from ordinary and diplomatic passports. Reserved for government officials and those involved in official government duties, the official passport facilitates international travel for individuals engaged in official tasks such as administrative, diplomatic, or service-related functions. It serves as a crucial identification document for those undertaking official responsibilities abroad.
4. Who gets the VIP passport in India?
Diplomatic or VIP passports in India are given to people who are sent by the Indian Diplomatic passports in India are issued to the following individuals
- Those who are designated by the Indian government to travel overseas on official business.
- Individuals who hold diplomatic status
- Officers from Indian Foreign Services (Branch A) who are undertaking international travel.
5. What is the difference between an ECR and ECNR passport?
Both ECR and ECNR passports are granted to those who have not completed 10th grade. Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) passports are given to Indian citizens who travel abroad for official reasons. Passports issued after January 2007 are designated as ECNR, and these passport holders do not require an Emigration Check. Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports were issued before January 2007 and do not have any notation. These passport holders require an Emigration check as the name suggests.