DONE.

I received my passport finally 2 months later - not bad. not too good.
I hear you can check the status of your passport processing on the website, but didn't ever look that up.

If you passport doesn't arrive within 45 days drop by to th passport office (like I did) - because i dropped by the officer stamped and cleared the papers in front of me and I'm sure that sped the process by a few days, if not weeks. Also dropping by might make you aware of any 'discrepancies' in your paperwork (if they exist) and in case the passport office was not able to get in touch with you.

Overall, this renewal was not a bad experience...long line to wait in, but otherwise nothing unusually unpleasant, the cops for police clearance were cool, not chai paani types...so yeh - not bad India 'shinning'.

Police Clearance

Ok - a few weeks after submission a police inspector will visit your ghar for a police check.
He will start by asking you your neighbours name so please make sure you know them neighbours (or any previous beef with them is resolved).
The inspector will ask to speak to the neighbour to confirm that youve been living there and some other questions...
once done - you're not done. He will give you a paper with the docs which you will have to get along with you and come personally to the police station between the mentioned time...you have to fill a bunch of forms and provide 2 copies of the relevant docs like electricity bill, bank statement etc.