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Passports In India

An knowledgeable traveller is sure to reduce risks while on the road. Additionally, complete travel insurance is always an option for issues beyond their control. But understanding the various crucial elements of travel is the first step to becoming an informed traveller, and it all starts with documentation. The majority of tourists are aware that a current Indian passport and foreign travel insurance are necessary travel documents. Many people are unaware that India has several distinct kinds of passports. And a lot depends on the sort of passport you have, including whether you qualify for expedited immigration clearance, whether you can use the visa-free travel option, etc. Let's examine the various passport categories in India and their relevance.

Passport Category in India

> Blue Passport
The common Indian citizen receives the blue passport, sometimes referred to as the type P passport. Type P on a passport denotes "personal." Regular travellers who are going overseas for business or pleasure are given these passports. Passport type P signifies that a person is a commoner and not a high-ranking government official of India to customs and immigration officials, among other authorities abroad.
> White Passport
Indian government personnel who travel abroad on business are the only ones who can obtain a white passport. In other words, travellers who are travelling on behalf of the Indian Government are issued a white passport. In India, the customs and immigration authorities may easily recognise a passenger with a white passport and can treat them well. The Indian Police Service Department, IAS officers, and others frequently own the white passport.

> Maroon Passport/Diplomatic Passport
The diplomatic passport is given out in India to anyone with diplomatic status there or to people travelling abroad on official business for the Indian government. This passport's cover is maroon in hue, which is a deep crimson. In India, a person travelling overseas with a maroon passport is readily recognised as a government representative (unless they have a white passport). Travel without a visa is one of the many advantages diplomatic passport holders can take advantage of. Additionally, they do not need to apply for a visa for their visits regardless of the length of their stay overseas, which results in a quicker immigration process.
> Orange Passport
In 2018, the Government of India launched the orange passport sans the address page. These passports are designed for individuals who have not completed their education beyond 10th grade. Orange passport holders fall under the ECR category, which means that they need an immigration check every time they decide to journey overseas. These travellers need to meet the immigration criteria laid down by immigration officials for every international travel. The primary purpose of the orange passport was to ensure the protection of uneducated travellers when they travel internationally.

Important Documents Needed for a New Passport

Make sure the following paperwork is ready before your planned passport appointment:
> Proof of address (aadhaar card, rent agreement, electricity bill, your bank account passbook, telephone/post-paid mobile bill, passport copy of your spouse, etc.)
> Proof of birth date (birth certificate, voter’s ID, school transfer/leaving certificate, PAN card, etc.)

Your passport is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. The application to renew the passport should be made well within this time frame to ensure renewal before expiry. If your passport expires, you will have to apply for “re-issuance of passport”, and if the expiration date exceeds three years, the police verification will have to be redone.