How Many Types of Passport in India

India issues different types of passports based on the purpose of travel and the role of the person applying. Every passport is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, but not all of them are the same. Each one has its own format, colour, and eligibility rule.

There are 4 main types of passport used across the country. The most common one is the ordinary passport, which has a blue cover and is given to regular Indian citizens for travel, education, work, or tourism. The others are official, diplomatic, and emergency passports. These are issued only for specific government duties, special roles, or urgent cases.

The colour of the cover is not random. It helps identify the category of the passport at a glance. For example, red is used for diplomatic purposes, white for official use, and blue for ordinary travel. Every passport has the same authority behind it but is meant for different situations.

If you are trying to understand how many types of passport in India exist or which one fits your need, this guide breaks them down with clear use cases and examples.

Why Different Types of Passport Issues in India

Not every Indian passport is the same. The Ministry of External Affairs issues different types of passports based on the purpose of travel and the responsibility of the person using it. This is why the Government of India issues different passport categories, Each one tied to a clear use case.

The Ministry of External Affairs classifies passports to make roles clear during travel. Colour coding helps authorities identify purpose quickly. Blue for regular trips. White for official duty. Red for diplomatic missions. Emergency certificates help citizens in crisis get back to India safely.

Each passport type is colour-coded for a reason. It helps officials at airports, embassies, and security checkpoints quickly understand the category and travel purpose.

Main passport types issues in India

India issues 4 types of passports. Each one is tied to what the traveller is doing. The colour on the cover is not for design. It shows what the passport is meant for.

Ordinary passport for general public

This is the blue passport most people in India carry. It is used for personal travel, business trips, studies abroad, or family visits. It does not give special rights. It is simply a travel document for Indian citizens.

The ordinary passport is valid for 10 years. It includes full name, date of birth, photo, and address. You can use it to apply for a visa, enter a foreign country, or show ID when asked. People apply through the Passport Seva Portal. After submitting the form online, the person must visit a PSK for biometric verification. Once verified, the passport is printed and sent.

This is the most requested passport in India. It is used in embassies, visa centers, airports, and sometimes even for hotel or SIM card checks inside India.

Official passport for government employee

This one looks different. The cover is white, and it is only issued to people working in government departments. Not for everyone — only for those going abroad on official duty.

The rules for this are strict. The person cannot use it for holidays or private work. The trip must be related to official business. The application does not happen through regular login. It starts with a request from the department, which is then cleared by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Once the assignment ends, the white passport is returned or renewed if the duty continues. This type is not accepted for general visa applications.

Diplomatic passport for Indian diplomats

Bright red. Very limited use. This passport is issued to Indian diplomats, senior officers, and government representatives. It shows the person is travelling not as a tourist, but as a face of India.

With this passport, visa rules are different in many countries. Some allow quicker entry or waive fees. The passport also allows priority at airports and embassies.

You cannot apply for this by choice. It is given only after nomination and clearance by MEA. It stays active only during the time of service. Once the role ends, it must be handed back. This is not used for leisure trips.

Emergency passport in special cases

This is not a full passport. It is called an Emergency Certificate. It is given when someone loses their passport abroad or has to return urgently.

Use cases:

• You lost your passport while travelling
• You overstayed and cannot renew
• Your passport was stolen
• You were deported and need a way home

It is issued by the nearest Indian embassy or consulate. This certificate allows travel to India only. It cannot be used as a normal ID and does not allow re-entry once you leave again. After returning, a fresh passport must be applied through the standard process.

What is an ordinary passport

Any Indian citizen can apply for this passport. It is meant for people travelling abroad for jobs, studies, tourism, business, or medical reasons. Most people in India carry this type. The passport is issued after online application and biometric visit at a Passport Seva Kendra. It is cleared by the Ministry of External Affairs. No special status or clearance is needed.

Blue cover. Gold emblem. Personal details inside.

• Valid for 10 years.
• Used at airports, embassies, and visa offices.
• Can be renewed online through the Passport Seva Portal.

This document is accepted in over 150 countries. It works for one person only and is not transferable or sharable. Once issued, it stays linked to your Aadhaar, address, and name in the central system.

When it is used as ID proof

You can show it:

• While checking into hotels
• At immigration desks
• For applying student visas
• For booking international tickets
• In banks or agencies that accept passport as ID
• For visa stamping at foreign embassies

The passport is accepted when your Aadhaar is mismatched or incomplete. Its photo and name layout make it easier for face-to-name match during travel. Some institutions ask for it when proof of nationality is required.

Who gets an official passport in India

This passport is given to government employees sent abroad on duty. It includes officers from ministries, secretariat staff, and public sector employees with official orders. The request is made by the department, and clearance is given by the Ministry of External Affairs. No personal application is allowed.

This passport is used:

• At embassy counters for official visa
• During meetings with foreign agencies
• For entry at foreign airports under duty travel
• At immigration lanes marked for government visitors

It works only where official work is involved.

Can it be used for regular travel?

No. It cannot be used for holidays, family trips, or study. For non-duty travel, the blue passport must be used. Mixing both can lead to rejection or delays abroad.

What is a diplomatic passport used for

This passport is issued to Indian diplomats, IFS officers, and senior officials sent abroad on government missions. It cannot be requested directly. Eligibility is confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs through nomination only.

A diplomatic passport has a red cover. It is used for travel linked to international duty, embassy work, or official delegation. No public form is available. It must be approved through a government channel. The passport is valid only for the term of service and must be returned when the assignment ends.

This passport is not meant for holidays, studies, or private travel. It will be rejected if used at tourist desks. Public applications are not accepted, and any misuse can lead to cancellation.

What is an emergency passport and who gets it

If an Indian citizen is abroad and loses their passport, they cannot fly back without a travel document. In this case, the Indian Embassy or Consulate issues an Emergency Certificate. This is not a full passport. It only works for returning to India one time. The approval is done after basic checks and supporting documents. It is given fast, but only in real urgency.

• Passport stolen during foreign travel
• Damaged beyond use
• Expired long ago with no renewal
• Visa overstay where renewal is denied
• Deportation from local authority abroad

All cases are cleared by the Indian mission. No online portal use. Everything happens directly at the consular office after in-person check.

Is it valid for all countries?

No. The emergency passport is valid only for one-way travel back to India. It cannot be used to apply for a new visa. It does not work as a full ID. It cannot be used to visit other countries or re-enter the issuing country. Once you come back, you must apply for a regular passport again through PSK or the Passport Seva Portal.

What is the color difference in Indian passports

The color on an Indian passport is not just for design. It shows the purpose and the category of the holder. Each cover helps identify the role clearly at immigration desks, embassy counters, and foreign checkpoints.

What each color means

Blue is for citizens travelling for personal or professional reasons like work, study, or tourism. It is the most common and is issued to people who apply through the Passport Seva Portal.

White is assigned to government employees who are sent abroad on official duty. It is not used for personal travel. Embassy staff handle these under controlled approvals.

Red is limited to Indian diplomats and foreign service officers. It signals high-level clearance and may allow special access at international airports or visa counters.

Grey or Off-white documents are issued in emergency situations. These are called Emergency Certificates. They are used only for return to India and not for international visits.

How to check your passport type

Open the passport and look at the cover and the first inner page. The color tells the category. The inner page will mention the type clearly under the title. If it says “Type P,” it is ordinary. If it says “Type S” or “Type D,” it is official or diplomatic. The issuing authority and clearance remarks also differ.

Always carry the right one as per your trip. If unsure, do not use the wrong category for a personal journey.

Which passport type is right for you?

The passport you need depends on what you are doing and where you are going. India assigns different types based on role, reason for travel, and how the trip is funded.

Here is a quick match:

Each type is assigned under Ministry of External Affairs guidelines. Ordinary passports are requested by citizens. Others are given through nomination or mission-level approval.

What to choose during online application

When filling the form on the Passport Seva Portal, you will see “Passport Type” as a required field. If you are applying for yourself as a citizen, choose “Ordinary Passport.” The system does not let you select official or diplomatic. Those are routed through internal departments.

Double-check that the selected type matches your travel plan. If you choose wrongly, the application will be rejected at the PSK counter.

When you need special approval

Official and diplomatic passports cannot be self-requested. These require:

• Government order
• File movement through your department
• MEA clearance for diplomatic or foreign delegation use
• Embassy coordination if already abroad

Emergency Certificates also bypass the online form. They are given only by the consulate or embassy, after an urgent document check.