My Passport reissue experience at PSK

Recently I had applied for reissue of my passport through newly launched Passport Seva Kendra(PSK), by Ministry of external affairs. Here I am sharing my personal experience right from filling up the application to get the passport in my hand.
The major steps are:
1. Filling up the application and getting the token for appointment
2. Be ready with the documents and visiting PSK
3. PSK: Verification - two levels and Granting
4. Police Verification in case of address change
5. Collecting passport from Speed post

1. Filling up the application and getting the token for appointment:
There are basically two types of filling the application - online and physical form filling. I suggest the people to opt for online appointment either for Tatkal or Normal. Even though there are few coupons PSK give on First come First Serve, the number of tokens vary depending on PSK. For example, PSK on outer Ring Road, Bangalore will issue 100 tokens per day. I heard people are in queue for getting that from 2AM onwards. One can take an appointment for confirmation. If it is really urgent, you can try by standing in the queue as well.

I personally suggest to fill online application form. One can download the application form in PDF from the website http://www.passportindia.gov.in.
Fill in the details OFFLINE and generate XML and finally upload the profile after registering yourself. This form is self explanatory. Only things you need keep in hand are the old passport details and the references you need to mention from your locality.

2. Be ready with the documents and visiting PSK:
Along with the old passport, we should be ready with the supporting documents as detailed in the passport website. http://www.passportindia.gov.in
For instance, in my case:
· Reissues with an address change - Old passport and address proof copies like gas bill, telephone bill, company letter etc..
· ECNR - Degree cerfificate
· Spouse name addition - Marriage certificate
For any doubts, always try to take the help of toll free number – 1800 258 1800. Their service is good but be patient enough to give your name and full address each time you call them (for their records).
Please carry all the original documents with at least one set of photocopies. You should be ready with all these documents for hassle free processing. It is better to keep 2 copies of the all the documents submitted at the passport office for your verification and submission to the police officer when he visits the house. No need to take any photographs as they will take your photo when we visit the PSK. But please note that you need the passport photos for police verification. So keep them ready with you. Payment can be done after the first level verification. For example, 60pages passport it is Rs.1500. Please carry enough cash.
Once you are ready with all the documents, next step is to visit the PSK 30 mins before the appointment time.
3. Experience in PSK:
My overall experience in PSK is good. But you should be ready to spend at least 2-3 hours to finish the process. If you are ready with all the documents, you should finish all the three steps within 3 hours. Otherwise, it takes longer time or need to visit the next day as well.
First step is to get a TOKEN after presenting the appointment letter printout (in case of online). Then based on the type of appointment, you will be allotted a TOKEN NUMBER with the QUEUE. There are various queues in the system like Q1 for walk-in; Q6 for online; Q5 for VIP; Q4 for previous day cases; Q3 for walk in late after the appointment time etc…
After getting the token, you are allowed to go inside waiting room where you will be called for the CSE counters. This process is basically filling all the details in the system by operator and verification of our documents and taking photos, finally making the payment. They will issue a File number and print your application form with the supporting documents to proceed for next step. In case of any documents are missing, you are not processed further two steps until you finish this step.
Once you are finished this step, the operator will sign off so that your Token number will be in online queue management system for the VO - Verification Officer. This verification is by Govt officers. Till the first step it is handled by TCS people. You may need to wait 1-2 hours after you finished the first step. The verification officer will verify the originals along with the application form and supporting documents. In case of any corrections to be made, he will direct you to go for the CSE counters. Once VO approves it, last step is to go to GO - Granting Officer. These people after verification of our details, they cancel the existing passport. In case of complex cases, they may refer to APO - Asst. Passport Officer.
Last step, before leaving the PSK is to collect the acknowledgement letter for our reference.
Please note there are around 30 counters of CSE and 5 counters of VO and 3 counters of GO and 1 counter of APO in PSK, Sai Arcade, Bangalore.
4. Police verification:
Most of the cases, there will be an address change. So police verification is mandatory. Your last one year residence verification should be done. In last one year, if any address change is there within the city, both the police verifications should be done. The police officer may visit your house or you will be asked to visit the police station. In either case, you need to give your photos (3 in each case) and address proof.
5. Collecting the passport:
Finally after the police verification, you will be informed by SMS / Email that passport has been dispatched by speed post. You only should collect it from the post man as he is not authorized to deliver the passport to anyone else. Generally they will intimate the arrival of passport to our house. If we are not at home (usually the case during office hours), need to schedule the appointment with him either morning or evening, so that you can collect it. Once you receive the passport, last step is to verify the printed details on the passport.
FAQs:
1. How long it has taken to get the reissue of the passport?
I filled up the application form online and got an online appointment after 3weeks. Whole process of visiting PSK, submission, police verification (at two locations) and final issuing happened in 12 days for me after the appointment date. If I include the appointment waiting period as well, total 5 weeks for the entire process.
2. How is over all experience of PSK process?
Overall, I appreciate the PSK services and thanks to Govt of India for smoothening the process.
3. What are the improvements in PSK when compared to the existing system?
· Can avoid agents
· Can avoid long queues for getting appointment.
· Have more PSK centers instead of one central location
4. Is there any separate appointment system for Tatkal scheme?
As per my knowledge, it is not there. Only Tatkal scheme improves the delivery of passport post PSK processing. Police verification will be done afterwards.