Passport delayed? How to complain and escalate in India
Updated 2026-10 · General information, not legal advice.
Most delays come from pending police verification or a document query. Find out where the file is stuck first, then escalate.
When to use this
- Your application status has not changed for weeks
- Police verification is pending
- There is a mistake in the printed passport
Step by step
- 1
Track the application
Check the status on the Passport Seva portal with your file number and note the date of the last update.
- 2
Find the bottleneck
If it says police verification pending, contact the local police station or the district Special Branch. If there is a document query, reply on the portal.
- 3
Raise a grievance with the passport office
Use the grievance option on Passport Seva, or write to the Regional Passport Officer with your file number.
- 4
Escalate on CPGRAMS
If there is no action, file on the CPGRAMS portal under the Ministry of External Affairs, and attach the earlier complaint numbers.
Key facts
- Keep your file number and every acknowledgement
- Never pay agents for a faster passport
- An RTI can ask for the status of your file
Get your free action plan
Tell us what happened. We show your options, draft the letters and track every deadline.
Common questions
Who do I contact if police verification is stuck?
The local police station and the district Special Branch. If they do not act, raise it with the Superintendent of Police and on CPGRAMS.
Is there a fee for the grievance?
No. Grievance channels are free.