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General information only — not legal, medical, or professional advice.

SSaathi
Government Services

Passport Application Delayed

Your passport application is stuck or delayed beyond the expected timeline.

What this generally means

Passport Seva has defined service timelines, and delays beyond them can be escalated through grievance channels or an RTI request.

Your journey

  1. You Are Here

    You're trying to understand what to do about a delayed passport application. That's a good first step.

  2. Understand Issue

    Read through what this situation generally means and what your options are.

  3. Gather Documents

    Collect the evidence and paperwork that will support your case.

  4. Contact Resource

    Reach out to the most relevant authority, helpline, or legal aid service.

  5. Escalate If Needed

    If the first contact doesn't resolve things, escalate to a higher forum or authority.

  6. Follow Up

    Track your complaint's status and keep records of every response you receive.

Common next steps

  1. 1Check your application status on the Passport Seva portal.
  2. 2Contact the Passport Seva helpline for a status update.
  3. 3File a grievance on CPGRAMS if there's no resolution.
  4. 4Consider filing an RTI request if you need specific reasons for the delay.

Useful documents

  • Application reference number
  • Acknowledgement receipt
  • Any communication from Passport Seva

Relevant authorities

  • CPGRAMS (Public Grievance Portal)
  • Passport Seva Kendra

Frequently asked questions

How long should a normal passport application take?+

Standard processing times are published on the Passport Seva portal, though police verification can add time.

Can I escalate directly through RTI?+

Yes, an RTI application can require the department to explain the specific status and cause of delay.

Verified resources

Government Resource

CPGRAMS (Public Grievance Portal)

Central government portal connected to all Ministries/Departments and State governments for lodging grievances.

pgportal.gov.in
VerifiedLast reviewed: 2026-06-01
Government Resource

RTI Online (Central Government)

Official portal to file Right to Information applications and first appeals to central government Ministries/Departments. State authorities typically have separate portals.

rtionline.gov.in
VerifiedLast reviewed: 2026-06-01
Government Resource

Common Service Centre (CSC) / District Citizen Service Centre

Single-window centre for applying to and tracking government documentation services. Locations vary by district.

Illustrative — verify locallyLast reviewed: 2026-06-01