Official Documents
Know Your Passport Type
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Type P — Most Common
Ordinary Passport
🔵 Blue Cover
The most common type of Indian passport, issued to ordinary citizens for general travel purposes. Available in 36-page and 60-page booklets.
Issued to all Indian citizens for general purposes
Blue cover — most widely recognized internationally
Available as 36-page or 60-page booklet
Now issued as e-Passport with biometric chip
Apply online at passportindia.gov.in
Type S — Government Officials
Official Passport
⬜ White Cover
Issued to Indian government officials and their dependents travelling abroad on official government duty. White cover distinguishes it from ordinary passports.
Issued to government servants on official duty
White cover — signifies official government travel
Issued by Ministry of External Affairs
Grants certain privileges in foreign countries
Not for personal/private travel
Type D — Diplomats
Diplomatic Passport
🟤 Maroon Cover
Issued to Indian diplomats, IFS officers, senior government officials and their dependents. Provides diplomatic immunity and special privileges abroad.
Issued to Indian diplomats and IFS officers
Maroon cover — internationally recognized
Provides diplomatic immunity
Visa-free or visa-on-arrival in many countries
Strictly for official diplomatic travel
New — 2024 Edition
e-Passport (Chip)
💻 Biometric Chip
India's new e-Passport launched in 2024 with an embedded biometric chip storing the holder's personal and biometric data for enhanced security.
Biometric chip embedded in cover
Stores fingerprints, photo and personal data
Faster immigration clearance globally
Higher security — harder to forge
Issued from 2024 onwards for all new applications