Applying for a passport: Tips

Here are some tips for anyone applying for a passport in India. (Note: Some of these tips are specific to Bangalore.)

• Apply for passport online at www.passportindia.gov.in
• I found some bugs in the online form; so I downloaded the editable pdf (called eForm) from the site and filled it up. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader for this (Evince etc. might not work).
• Print out the application receipt; it has all the main details of the application, and has to be shown at the entrance.
• Book an appointment slot online at your preferred Passport Seva Kendra (PSK). Slots become available for online booking at 8 am. Login at 7.56 am and start trying. [Thanks to Prasad, for the update on the new times!]
• Documents required:
• Use the site to find out. But, dont stop there. Call the toll-free number to check if the rules have changed recently. 
• E.g. I was asked for two adress-proofs, instead of one. I had to go back home, just for that. If you are using an annual bank statement as proof, ensure it has the seal and signature from the bank. I used the annual statement that comes by post, which is printed on the bank letter-head, and has no explicit seal or handwritten signature. (They finally accepted it, but only reluctantly. Also, in the spirit of bargaining, they kept the original statement itself, rather than a photocopy.)
• At the PSK
• Try to get a 9 am appointment. Later slots tend to get crowded by slowpokes from earlier slots, and it all snowballs.
• Try to go earlier than the mentioned reporting time. There is a single queue at the entrance, where people are redirected to counters, and the earlier you get to a counter, the earlier you get a token, and the earlier you will come in the rest of the queue.
• Do not carry laptops/USB sticks, or other electronics (cell phones were allowed when I was there), as you might have to leave them outside.
• Steps
• Go to counter (there are separate ones for Tatkaal and Normal; ask at entry, the Tatkaal counter might be less crowded). Get your documents checked. Get the token number. It will be printed on a small sheet. Keep this safe; you need it till the end.
• Go inside, and wait for your token's turn. Large displays will indicate when it is your token's turn, and also the counter to go to.
• First, you go to an A-counter, get the docs checked and pay the money. You get two copies of the receipt, one for you, and one that goes with the file. Keep both safe.
• Then you again wait, looking at the displays, and go to a B-counter, where your documents are checked again. Finally you go to a C-counter, where your documents are checked again. The official stamps your old passport (if any), and tells you to leave.
• Look for a counter where you get the acknowledgement for the passport application. Show your copy (the Applicant's Copy) of the receipt and get the acknowldegement. Go to the exit, return the token to the security guy, and leave.
• I was there from 11am till 4pm. I got hungry, and ate a burger there. I had some stomach problems after that. You might want to take some food and water when you go there.
• It can be a long wait. You could carry a book or something to kill the time, but you have to watch the displays alertly. I dont know what happens if you miss the chance.
• When I was coming out the PSK at 4pm, the police were carting away two-wheelers parked in the 'No Parking' area in front of the PSK. Ensure you park your vehicle in a safe place before you enter the PSK.