Renewing you passport - Mumbai

ok - I got my passport renewed a few days back....and after waiting (and seeing other people waiting) in the line for more than 6 hours I thought maybe some of this info can help.

I have documented the entire procedure with do's, dont's and 'special info' - following them is highly recommended, lets start from....

Step1: Filling the form.
This can be done

1. IN PAPER at the passport office OR
2. ONLINE at https://passport.gov.in/pms/Information.jsp

Online is obviously recommended as you can do it aaram se at home and print it out without ure shitty handwritting.

NOTE!s
-> while submitting you are given an 'appointment time' which is just bogus - dont go there at the 'appointed' 11:45am time and expect an official waiting for you...you have to wait in line like everyone esle.
-> also the form there says 'must submit within 15 days of filling as date is printed on the form' which is just a bunch of bullshit (just like the 'appointment' time) - once printed the form can be submitted anytime, even before the appointment time.

>to-do>
1. The form even after printing requires a whole lot of stuff to be entered by hand and passport size photos attached.
2. the passport photo on the main form does not have to be signed across - the pp photos on the other forms (contact detail) etc needs to be signed across [carry a bunch of extra passport photographs for any mistakes]
3. when the pdf form is printed you get 2 copies of the 'Personal information' forms you actually need 4 of them - you can fill one out and make 3 photocopies, but make sure u photocopy the form without the pp photo or signature
i.e. each copy has to have its own original pp photo cross signed
4. Also aside from the pdf form you also have to get/fill a SCAN FORM (available in hall 2 of the office) - I saw too many people wait in line...get to the counter...get shouted at by the official (who was more like my 5th std tution teacher)... and run around all nervous and embarassed to get the form.
This form also requires a pp photo - the form can be identified by a black square dot on the lhs corner...this form is scanned into the computer with all the entered details, it seems. This form is available in hall 2 office at the photocopy counter for Rs1


Documents to be attached
(Keep in mind i renewed my passport - more stuff could be required for a new passport application)

You need to make 2 sets of photocopies of each of the following documents including 2 copies in each set of the Personal details forms (with cross signed pp photos)
You need to carry all originals for the official to attest the copies
and here are the documents

1. photocopy of your old passport - first page, second page (for ECNR stamp) and last page (also any valid visas - like my PR of NZ)Ration Card (as proof of address)
2. ration card (as proof of address)
   
3. Other proof of address like electricty bill etc with your name
4. Bank passbook with address and entries preferrably dating back 2 years (you need all pages photocopied, not only the address page like I assumed)
5. proof of birth - Birth certificate (but not essential as for renewal the old passport serves as proof of birth)
   

note - you do not need copies/certificate of your educational qualifications for renewal of passport,( I didn't) these are essential only for a NEW passport.

Must carries for your passport office excursion
1. pen
2. glue
3.stapler (not essential but carry for fun)
4. extra passport photos
5. Documents
6. Water and umbrella so that you dont faint while you wait in the sun - no, windcheater wont work.

Step2: Submission
You can either submit a Normal application or Tattkal

• Normal application - cost Rs1,000 and is valid for 10 years - processing time max 45 days (usually take between 20-25days)
• Tattkal - costs Rs2,500 and only valid for 1 year at a time - processing time 10-12 days - but no bharosa, can sometimes take even more than 20 days. See 'my friends strange tattkal experience' at the end of this infarmation session.
  

Also you can either submit at the main office in Worli or other centers - including one at the romantic setting of Carter Road, Bandra

Submitting at Worli
you need to submit the form at the NEW passport office (not the old) which is is at Bengal Chemical bldg (glass bldg just at the Century junction, middle road that forks out)
applikation counter timings: 10am to 2:30pm for normal application and
10am to 12:30pm for tattkal
[lunch from 1:30 to 2pm]

Submitting at Bandra
only normal applications accepted at bandra, NO tattkal
location: Carter road - behind the police station
timings: 10am to 1:30pm

-> why Bandra?
pros: much much much lesser queue than worli (for obvious reasons)
cons: 1.these guys stick to theyre time and dont stay open any later than 1:30pm like at Worli
2. also I dont remeber seeing any photocopy machines and stationary like at Worli so come prepared.
3. Tattkal applications not accepted (only at Worli) -but no big deal really [considering 'my friends strange tattkal experience']

CHECKING THE FORM
This is highly highly highly recommended
the New passport office has a counter (no 28 i think) in Hall 2 where they check your form (for a price of Rs 20) and tell you whats required/missing document wise and even fill out the missing tit bits.
Best part is that there's no line to get into hall 2 (submitting applications is in hall 1 - which has the huge ass line)

Waiting in line
Ok - I came at 9:15 and had a nice long line to stand at the back of...I got into the air conditioned office only at 1pm to be at the back of another long line inside
I was finally at the counter after lunch at 2:15...very close to the counter closing time - keeping in mind i came at 9.15!

my advice: come in around lunch (1pm) and ure still at the back of the queue, but its a much shorter one - being at the back of a 30 people queue is a lot better that waiting in the middle of a 300 one. As long as you're in the office (i.e. the guard does not NOT allow you in) they should and will accept your form before the end of the day (fingers crossed)

ps - the tattkal line is shorter (and has the hotter chicks) but its just a 'illusion' to ripp you off - youre paying a grand and a half extra to get a passport thats valide for 9 years less!
also wrt the processing time of 10-12 days of tattkal as compared to max 45 days for normal - ('my friends strange tattkal experience') a friend of mine submitted his and his wife/kids passport a year back - he submitted his wife/kids under normal and his under tattkal and it was a fultoo joke when his wife/kid got their passport in 20 days and he in 22! so be shmart, shave money, and get longer validitty.

Other mentions -
Applying throug an agent takes longer (applications of agents are processed longer by the passport office) and is also a lot more expensive -but pro is you dont get the 'adventure' of standing in a long line and spending a day (if not more) at the passport office - then again if you follow my advice you should get done in a day.
then again my friend (same friend with tattkal experience) says last time he did his passports through an agent, the agent still made him run around to the passport office a few times.....so agents definitely not recommended!

So the basic summary
1. apply for a NORMAL passport
AS - it takes close to the same processing time as tattkal in reality
BUT + costs less
+ valid for 10 yrs as compared to 1 year
+ and last but not the least you can submit the form at Bandra (or any of the no worli locations) which are a lot lot lot lot!! less crowded.
2. check your passport from the counter in Hall 2 before standing in the superlong line for submission in Hall 1.


Diskclaimer - ok all this info was based on my own experience, follow but sue not for any non occurences in reality ok?

also any queries will be entertained
donations will also be entertained (I waited in queue for 6 hours, in the full volume sunlight, no lunch and hot chicks to look at)
suggestions/corrections will also be enterained.

Thank You.