Pune: Regional Passport Office Announces Tatkaal Special Passport Drive on 19 July 2025

Pune, 17 July 2025 – The Regional Passport Office in Pune has announced a Tatkaal Special Passport Drive on Saturday, 19 July 2025, as part of the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) initiative to expedite passport appointments. The drive will be conducted at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK), Pune, offering applicants an opportunity to secure earlier appointments under the Tatkaal scheme.

Stricter Eligibility & Document Requirements

The Tatkaal scheme mandates additional documents and follows stricter eligibility guidelines. Many applicants face rejections due to insufficient documentation or ineligibility. To avoid last-minute complications, applicants are strongly advised to thoroughly review the Tatkaal Advisory & Undertaking and ensure they meet all requirements before their appointment.

Verification & Additional Checks

Under Section 5 of the Passports Act, 1967, and Rule 5 of the Passports Rules, 1980, the Passport Authority reserves the right to conduct additional inquiries and request further documentation to verify an applicant’s authenticity. Applicants must cooperate with these checks for smooth processing.

Mandatory Original Documents

Applicants must carry the following original documents, as they may be verified by the Passport Authority or Police:

1. QR Code Birth Certificate (mentioning Aadhaar number)
2. Class 10 (Matriculation) Passing Certificate
3. Existing Passport (if applicable)
4. Latest eAadhaar (with scannable QR code)
5. PAN Card (with hologram)
6. Voter ID (with hologram sticker)
7. Driving Licence
8. Marriage Certificate/Joint Photo Declaration (Annexure J) – Signed by both spouses along with passports/PAN Cards/Driving Licences (if passport not held)

For Minors:

• Annexure D (duly filled & signed by both parents)
• Both Parents’ Passports

Smart ID Cards Not Accepted

The office has clarified that Aadhaar is NOT a valid Date of Birth proof. Additionally, “Smart ID Cards”—such as Aadhaar, PAN, or Voter ID printed on plastic by private vendors—will NOT be accepted.

DigiLocker & mAadhaar for Verification

Applicants are advised to:

• Download DigiLocker & mAadhaar apps before submitting their online application.
• Fetch Birth Certificate, Aadhaar, Class 10 Certificate, and other documents via these apps for authenticity checks.
• Note: Only DigiLocker-issued (not uploaded) documents shared during online application submission will be accepted. Uploaded documents in DigiLocker Drive are NOT considered authentic.

QR Code Scanning Mandatory

Before visiting PSK, applicants must scan QR codes on supporting documents (Birth Certificate, eAadhaar, etc.) using DigiLocker or mAadhaar apps to ensure verifiability.

Date: 17.07.2025
Place: Pune