Passport Experience in Bangalore PSK

Hello Friends,

I want to share my passport experience in PSK, Bangalore.

With the new process of applying passport online there are many pros and cons. However, govt has facilitated this to automate the entire process in all the states of India and first pilot project was launched in Bangalore.So initially there were glitches but now on a daily basis things are getting smoothened up.

In order to apply for fresh/reissue passport, logon on the website http://passportindia.gov.in.

In order to apply, first you need to create an account and then fill the online application.

Post this getting an appointment to go to the PSK office in person to submit the documents and fees.

From the past one month, I was trying for an online appointment and was getting no luck.

So I had decided that I need to shell out money to an agent who was ready to give an online appointment for 1000 bucks.

But on 26th June 2011, I saw on the website that the more than 200 slots will be released on daily basis. So, I tried on 27th June morning at 8 am and got the appointment for the next day(28/06/11)

I had applied for Normal, reissue.

My appointment time was at 2:15 pm and the reporting time given to me 1:45 pm.

I reached PSK Lalbagh at 1:30 pm.There was a huge queue and everyone in the queue was for the same slot.

Finally after waiting for 20 mins, I reached inside where a guard checked my bag and allowed me inside.

There were several inquiry counters and I was shown an inquiry counter where 3 or 4 ppl were standing.The lady there checked my documents, verified with originals and the appointment time and gave me a token number receipt and told me to go inside.

Time spent at the counter 10 mins

Inside : There was a waiting room with 3 - 4 displays. after waiting for 15 mins, my number was called and I moved to counter A. TCS executive checked my form which I had filled online, scanned my documents, took my photograph, finger impressions and collected the money and handed me the acknowledgement slip.He kept everything in a brown file and wrote a number on the file and told me to move to Counter B and told me that I will be called as per my initial token number.

Time spent at counter A was 20 mins

Counter B: The maximum number of crowd was here and so much chaos.

There were only 2 displays, I checked and saw that my number is way too ahead(100 numbers).After waiting for 2 hours

my turn came and I moved to counter B, where I greeted the govt official lady, she verified my documents

and told me to move to counter C, token number was same.

Time spent at counter B was 10 mins

Counter C:

On moving to Counter C, again it was very chaotic and the official there told me to sit(there were less chair and more number of people standing).After waiting for 10 mins, my token number was displayed on the screen and I moved to the counter, where again the lady cross verified the documents and after doing that, she cancelled my passport and told me to collect my acknowledgement slip.

Time spent : 5 mins

I moved towards the acknowledgement counter where the person gave a slip and the guard collected my acknowledgement slip which was fed to the IR and the guard asked me to enter my feedback.The system was not accurate and was not working properly.I was not well so, I left it as it is and came out.

Time spent : 2 mins

Pls note, following were the documents which I carried along with me

a)Degree certificate original with photocopy

b)Old passports with first, last and ECNR photocopies

c)A letter head from my current bank stating my present address

d) My last 6 mnths bank statement

e)2 BSNL bill(present year and last year) along with its photocopies

The TCS exec said that I will receive the passport in max 40 days.Hoping for the best.

I hope that my experience will help others too.

If any one has any query, feel free to write back and I will be happy to assist.

Disclaimer - These were my personal view and it may vary on individual's experiences.

Updated:

Online appointment - 28/06/11
SMS/email received - 15/07/11
Passport delivery -  16/07/11

I forgot to mention that before receiving my passport, I got a call from my area's police station for verification and he wanted to come to my place for the same but I was in office so he said he will contact later.

Next day(16/07/11) again I got a call from police station since I was busy with office work, he told me to meet him the next day in the police station.

Next morning, I went and met the concerned person.
He asked for the same set of documents which I have submitted at the time of renewal in the PSK.

Documents submitted in police station were:

Copy of BSNL bill's latest and last year.
Copy of bank statement.
Passport front and back copy
2 photos

He also asked me if on my old passport, I have traveled abroad and told me to write the start date,end date and country name on a paper.
There were few printouts, 1 in english and 2 in Kannada which I signed on and he explained me what's written on it.

Good luck to all!