How to Change Passport Application From Normal to Tatkaal [2025]

Biometric controls if you can switch to tatkaal. If it is already done, the passport file gets locked. No changes are allowed once biometric is completed.

If biometric is still pending, you can cancel the current ARN and apply again. The new form must be submitted with tatkaal mode selected. Fee and document list change with the new application.

Most users who ask how to change passport application from normal to tatkaal face delay under the normal process.

This guide explains when you can move from normal to tatkaal, how to cancel safely, what to upload, and how to avoid getting blocked on Passport Seva.

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What is the difference between normal and tatkaal passport

Tatkaal passport is built for speed. It skips many delays that come in the normal route. But both are different not just in delivery speed, but also in what happens before and after the slot.

Under normal mode, full police verification is done before printing. You wait for PVR to clear. This causes delay even after biometric is done. Under tatkaal, biometric is followed by issue, and police check happens later in most cases.

Another big difference is the documents. Tatkaal mode often needs Annexure F, which becomes a common block for first-time users. Upload must be clean. Any mismatch in format or signature stalls the form on Passport Seva.

Delivery time is not close. Normal passports may take 30 to 45 days. Tatkaal can reach in 3 to 7 days, depending on city and file clearance.

Normal Passport	Tatkaal Passport
Delivery in 30 to 45 days	Delivery in 3 to 7 days
Police check before printing	Police check after issue
Lower application fee	Higher fee with urgency factor
No Annexure needed	Annexure F required in many cases
Slower queue at PSK	Separate counter for tatkaal
Slots open all day	Slots fill early morning
Delay if address is old or changed	Faster even with address update

Can you change to tatkaal after submitting normal application

If biometric is still not done, you can cancel the current ARN and start again. The new form must be submitted under tatkaal scheme. That is the only way to upgrade passport mode. No portal edit or slot change is allowed after submission.

Once biometric is completed, the passport application file gets locked by the system. The portal blocks every field. Even mode cannot be switched. This is how the backend of Passport Seva works. The record is frozen for reissue only.

Many users try to resubmit as tatkaal without checking their biometric status. If it is done, the portal will show booking closed with no option to re-register. The file becomes inactive for switching.

To move from normal to tatkaal, check biometric first. If not done, cancel ARN, restart the form, upload new annexure, and complete fresh payment. That is the only way to bypass the passport switch block.

Steps to cancel normal passport and apply fresh under tatkaal

Before you can switch to tatkaal, the normal file must be cleared fully from the system. Passport Seva does not allow mode change inside the old application. Many users try to convert by rescheduling, but it never works.

The system checks the mode linked to your ARN. Once it is tagged as normal, that file can no longer access fast-track booking. You need to cancel, reset, and apply tatkaal fresh with a clean form.

Below are the steps explained clearly, each with its own logic and system-based rule. Use this only if you are reapplying for fast passport delivery.

You cannot switch inside the old form

Tatkaal cannot be activated from the normal file. Once the application is submitted, the mode is locked. You will not see any switch or edit on the portal. The only way to upgrade is to cancel ARN and restart. Most users keep trying inside the same dashboard, but the passport file stays stuck. The system will not allow reschedule as tatkaal if mode is already set to normal. Cancel first. Only then the path opens.

Cancel the active file using Passport Seva

Log in at Passport Seva. Go to View Saved/Submitted Applications. Find your ARN and click Cancel Application. You must give a short reason. After confirmation, the system deletes the record. That step closes the old file in backend. This deletes the old passport file and clears it from PSK slot queue. You can now begin again without errors.

Start fresh application with tatkaal selected

Once old file is cancelled, click Apply for Fresh Passport. Choose tatkaal at the start of the form. Do not use edit or modify options. A fresh passport form is required for this path. This will create a new ARN. The system will accept your request only when form is fresh. You are now clear to resubmit under tatkaal mode without system block.

Upload Annexure F and identity proof carefully

Upload screen has strict file checks. Annexure F must be in original format and signed by officer or employer. If scanned copy is unclear, the portal will reject. File size, layout, and signature box must match. Many users upload cropped image or PDF without seal. That will stall the ARN. Keep your annexure upload clean and clear to avoid delay.

Pay new fee and book fast PSK slot

Complete payment through SBI or debit card option. Once done, the page shows fresh slot list. Tatkaal PSK slot timing opens early. Best time is between 9 to 10 AM. Do not wait. Slots go in minutes. Choose nearest PSK with low rush. Confirm immediately. This is where fast queue booking makes the speed difference. Once booked, slot is locked.

Do not reuse anything from cancelled file

Do not copy details or try to link the old ARN. The system will treat it as duplicate and reject. Every entry in the new form must be fresh. Use same Aadhaar and mobile, but never refer the old file. Once cancelled, that record stays closed. Always apply tatkaal fresh if speed is your goal.

Documents required for tatkaal passport application

Tatkaal files get checked faster but more strictly. The system validates every uploaded file. Any mismatch in Aadhaar, missing seal on Annexure F, or wrong photo size can delay approval. To avoid rejection, these tatkaal documents must be ready in correct format. All are mandatory.

Aadhaar card with correct full name
Original Annexure F signed and stamped
Employer ID or service letter (if working)
Latest electricity or gas bill as address proof
Self-attested copy of PAN card or voter ID
Two passport-sized photos with white background
Class 10 certificate or birth certificate for DOB proof
First and last page copy of old passport (if reissue)
Printed application form with fresh ARN
Fee receipt copy (after online payment)

These documents are checked both at upload and during PSK visit, so carry originals too.

Best time to book tatkaal appointment slot

Tatkaal slots do not open at the same time for every city. Each Passport Seva Kendra has a fixed daily release time. These slots are limited, and they vanish fast. You only get one shot per day. Check your city slot release time first and stay ready. Below is how to catch it without delay.

Check your PSK’s release time on the Passport Seva appointment page
For Delhi, Lucknow, Ghaziabad, and Amritsar – slots open at 5 PM
For Chennai, Trichy, and Madurai – slots open at 2.30 PM
For Pune – 12 PM, Bengaluru and Hyderabad – 4.30 PM
For Bhopal, Chandigarh, and Guwahati – 11 AM
Log in 10 minutes before your city’s slot time
Open the appointment dashboard and wait for slot list
Avoid refreshing or switching tabs during booking
Choose PSK first, confirm slot fast, and pay without delay
Take a screenshot of the confirmation once booked

Tatkaal booking is all about speed. There is no retry after the slot window closes. For urgent slot booking, treat the release time as a fixed deadline. Booking early is the only way to skip PSK delays.

Is police verification needed for tatkaal passport

Tatkaal passport files are printed before police verification. This does not mean the police verification is skipped. It only runs in reverse. Delivery happens first. The tatkaal passport police verification process starts after that.

Once biometric is done and fee is confirmed, Passport Seva sends your file to print. The police station gets the data later. This is called post issue verification. It is done silently in background, but still logged in system.

If your ID or address is unclear, local officers may visit. Most visits happen within 2 to 5 days of dispatch. This is the actual time taken for tatkaal police verification in clean files. If anything does not match, the file gets flagged. You can track your PVR after tatkaal dispatch using the ARN on the portal.

Clean address cuts the check time
Aadhaar mismatch can trigger field visit
Reissue files with no address change move faster
Police report status is visible inside ARN history

Tatkaal is fast, but police verification report still happens. Just not before printing.

Mistakes to avoid while changing Passport Application Normal to tatkaal mode

Most failed tatkaal switches happen due to small mistakes. One wrong click or old file reuse can block your new passport form before it starts. These issues are avoidable if you check once before booking.

Rescheduling old file instead of cancelling
Applying fresh but reusing old ARN
Choosing tatkaal mode without fresh form
Uploading invalid or cropped Annexure F
Annexure scan missing seal or officer sign
Using old scanned ID from previous form
Entering Aadhaar mismatch details in new file
Not checking document upload status after submit
Saving draft and missing the final confirm
Editing normal form instead of restarting fresh

Once the tatkaal ARN error happens, the file gets stuck. The system will not clear it again. Always close the old record before starting new. Even one upload issue can delay the full booking. Keep your steps tight and final.

How to track tatkaal passport after fresh submission

After you apply under tatkaal mode, the file moves quickly. But every step still gets logged in the system. You can track all updates using your ARN. The Passport Seva portal shows real-time movement from scan to print.

Go to the portal and click Track Application Status
Enter your ARN and date of birth to continue
First status shows form submission confirmation
Second status confirms biometric update after PSK visit
SMS from Passport Seva arrives once scan is complete
Print status appears within 24 to 48 hours
Passport dispatch progress is shown last
Final status says “Delivered” or “Dispatched” with date

Keep checking the status every day till it closes. This is the only official tatkaal tracking method. If nothing updates after biometric, contact your PSK with ARN copy. No other tool gives accurate file history. Use portal only.

FAQ’s

Can I use same photo in new tatkaal form

Yes. Use the same passport photo only if it meets current size, background, and date guidelines. Blurry or reused scanned images may fail at upload.

Is Annexure F compulsory for everyone under tatkaal

Not always. Students or unemployed applicants may not need it. But for salaried or working professionals, Annexure F is usually required and checked during upload.

What if biometric is missed after tatkaal booking

The file stays in system but is blocked from reuse. You must cancel and reapply with a fresh ARN. Skipped biometric breaks the slot lock.

Can I book tatkaal slot on Sunday or holiday

No. The Passport Seva portal only opens booking on working days. Slot windows stay closed on national and public holidays.

How soon after cancel can I apply again under tatkaal

Same day. As soon as your ARN shows cancelled, you can restart the form with tatkaal selected. But wait till the system clears backend queue.

Will Aadhaar need update if address is different

Yes, if the address does not match your new ID proof or current location. Aadhaar revalidation helps avoid police visit delay in tatkaal flow.

Does cancelled normal file affect new tatkaal application

No. As long as you use new form and new ARN, the system will not block it. Just do not link or reuse data from the old passport application file.

Will I get SMS after every stage in tatkaal

Yes. You will get SMS alerts for biometric, print, and dispatch stages. Keep your registered number active for status update from Passport Seva.

Can I cancel tatkaal form again if mistake happens

Yes. You can cancel even the second file, but once cancelled, you need to restart from scratch with updated info. System keeps no retry option.

Will police see my file as tatkaal in their report

Yes. Police records mention the file type. But the Ministry of External Affairs processes post-issue verification equally, so treatment stays same.

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