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Considering the extensive travel freedom it offers, it is safe to say that your Indian passport is more than just a travel document. Regulated by the Ministry of External Affairs, your passport is one document that gives you your national identity in a foreign land. Not only this, as of 2025, an Indian passport allows you to travel visa-free in up to 59 cross-border countries.
Everything we said above is a pink picture of the powerful Indian passport. However, have you ever wondered how things work at the backend? Today, let us take you across the curtains and give you a clear picture of one of the most crucial components of the passport application procedure- “The Regional Passport Office”.
In this blog, we’ll break down what RPO in passport means, why it matters, and how to change it for your passport—whether booking online, visiting the office, or correcting errors.
What is RPO in Passport?
A Regional Passport Office or RPO is a government body under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) that looks after the issuance, renewal, application and delivery of passports in India. The Regional Passport Office ensures seamless passport processing by collaborating with various PSKs and POPSKs in the country. When you apply for a passport, the system automatically assigns you to a Regional Passport Office (RPO) based on where you live.
For example: If you live in Bengaluru, your passport application is managed by the Regional Passport Office Bengaluru. If you’ve moved cities, your jurisdiction may fall under a different RPO.
Why Does RPO Matter in Passport Applications?
The RPO in a passport isn’t just a formality. It plays a key role in:
- Processing Your Passport Application: All applications are routed to the RPO that has jurisdiction over your address.
- Police Verification: The RPO assigns your case to the local police station. Any mismatch can cause delays.
- Appointments and Availability: Your passport RPO appointment depends on the RPO under which you apply. For instance, if you’re booking a slot for renewal, you need to check the availability of your RPO office appointment at the correct location.
- Error Correction and Reissues: If your RPO is incorrectly listed or you relocate to a new city, you may need to update your RPO to avoid complications.
Before we jump into understanding everything about Regional Passport Offices, let us have a look at the types of passport offices.
What are the Types of Passport Offices in India?
Various types of Passport Offices regulate passport issuance services in India. The country's significant passport types offices are mentioned below:
- Regional Passport Office: RPOs are regional centres that handle various passport issuance activities, including passport applications, diplomatic passports, and passport renewals. Additionally, Regional Passport Offices handle appeals related to passport fraud, fake passports, and other similar issues.
- Passport Seva Kendra: PSKs are streamlined passport offices working on society's front end. Located at a district level, PSKs are offices that assist applicants in performing all the steps of the passport application. From filling out passport applications and biometric verification to police verification, PSKs assist an applicant in the early stages of the passport application.
- Passport Seva Camps: Similar to voter ID application camps, passport seva camps are temporary camps established in response to an increase in passport applications in a locality.
- Passport Seva Laghu Kendra: As the name suggests, PSLK is Laghu- a small camp that assists applicants from remote areas. These small, streamlined camps are typically established in remote areas to meet the demands for passport applications.
- Post Office Passport Seva Kendra: Passport Seva Kendra operational from certain Post offices in a district/locality is known as POPSK. The purpose of these passport offices is also to be reachable to the remote areas of towns.
- Passport Seva Kendra at Police Headquarters: PSK-PH are Passport Application Centres that are operational from certain police headquarters. These Passport Seva Kendras are helpful for individuals who require special police verification during their passport application.
- Diplomatic Passport Issuance Authority: If you are applying for a diplomatic passport, you can contact your nearest Diplomatic Passport Issuance Authority rather than a general Passport Seva Kendra.
Apart from the above-mentioned Passport issuing bodies, the passport issuing authority in India also provides services such as Passport Seva Home Connect and Passport Seva Kendra for Differently Abled Citizens to ensure that the passport application services can reach every individual who needs them.
How is the Regional Passport Office Different from Passport Seva Kendra?
The Regional Passport Offices and the Passport Seva Kendra aim to provide a seamless passport issuance facility. However, tabulated below are remarkable differences between an RPO and a PSK.
| Features | Regional Passport Office | Passport Seva Kendra |
|---|---|---|
| Operational Areas | RPOs handle a broad jurisdiction as compared to PSKs. RPOs manage and provide complex issues of passport applications such as diplomatic passport applications. RPOs also look after passport applications that PSKs can not handle. | PSKs are district-level government bodies that look after the passport application process in the initial stages. |
| Services | Regional Passport Offices address matters such as creating diplomatic passports. The RPO also looks after escalations raised due to fake passports, blacklisted passports etc. | Passport Seva Kendras are offices that assist applicants during the initial stages of passport applications. The PSK assist in procedures such as biometric verification, passport application, etc. |
| Locations | Regional Passport Offices are generally situated in larger cities. | Passport Seva Kendra are government bodies situated at a district level. |
| Processing Time | Due to the large number of appeals and escalations, RPOs may take longer processing time. | The workforce at PSKs is streamlined; thus, the processing time at PSKs is less than at Regional Passport Offices. |
Now that you understand the functionality of Regional Passport Offices and Passport Seva Kendras, let’s learn how to choose the right Regional Passport Office.
How to Choose a Regional Passport Office?
When applying for a passport, it is crucial to choose the right Regional Passport Office to ensure a hassle-free application process. To select the right RPO during a passport application, you can abide by the following tips:
- Spot the Correct Jurisdiction of Your Area: You should apply for an RPO based on the jurisdiction of your area. The jurisdiction can be determined based on your current residential address. Thus, while choosing an RPO, you should spot the correct Jurisdiction of your current address.
- Take the Help of the Passport Seva Portal: If you need clarification on which jurisdiction you come under, you can refer to the Passport Seva Portal. The Passport Seva Portal will automatically assign you the correct RPO.
- Verify During Document Verification: If you reach out to your nearest PSK, you can ask one of the authorised personnel to guide you in spotting the correct RPO. They will verify your address and suggest the correct RPO accordingly.
List of Regional Passport Offices in India
Below is a list of 17 Regional Passport Offices in India per the Ministry of External Affairs.
| Location | Contact Person | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | Wren Mishra | 079-26309114 | rpo.ahmedabad@mea.gov.in |
| Bengaluru | Krishna K. | 25706100-102 | rpo.bangalore@mea.gov.in |
| Bhubaneshwar | Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra | 0674-2563855 | rpo.bbsr@mea.gov.in |
| Chandigarh | Ms. Priyanka Mehtani IFS | 1722601863 | rpo.chandigarh@mea.gov.in |
| Cochin | Midhun T.R | 0484-2311323 | rpo.cochin@mea.gov.in |
| Chennai | S. Koventhan | 044-28518848 | rpo.chennai@mea.gov.in |
| Delhi | Shri Abhishek Dubey | 011-26184000 | rpo.delhi@mea.gov.in |
| Guwahati | Cherakung Zeliang | 0361-2300101 | rpo.guwahati@mea.gov.in |
| Hyderabad | Dasari Balaiah | 040 72215333 | rpo.hyderabad@mea.gov.in |
| Jammu | Shri Nishith Kumar Shil, AIS | 0191-2433359 | rpo.jammu@mea.gov.in |
| Jaipur | Ms Neetu M. Bhagotia | 0141-2702515 | rpo.jaipur@mea.gov.in |
| Kolkata | Ashish Middha | 033-4007-1212 | rpo.kolkata@mea.gov.in |
| Lucknow | Kanishk Sharma, IFS | 0522-2307534 | rpo.lucknow@mea.gov.in |
| Madurai | V. Surulirajan | 0452-2520956 | rpo.madurai@mea.gov.in |
| Mumbai | Dr. Rajesh Gawande | 022-26520034 | rpo.mumbai@mea.gov.in |
| Pune | Dr Arjun Deore | 020-27209999 | rpo.pune@mea.gov.in |
| Patna | Ms Tavishi Behal Pandey | 0612-2207378 | rpo.patna@mea.gov.in |
Disclaimer: The list above is subject to change. Please visit the official website of MEA for details on regional offices.
How to Change Registered RPO in Passport?
You should know that you cannot change your Regional Passport Office easily once you register for a passport. The changes in RPO shall only be made in dire situations, for which you may have to follow a lengthy procedure. Thus, it is advised that you choose your RPO carefully at the time of registration.
However, to change the registered RPO in Passport, you should follow the steps below:
Step 1: Collect all the necessary documents, such as the current passport, a copy of the current passport and proof of the new residential address.
Step 2: Register again with a new email ID on the Passport Seva Portal and apply for a re-issue of your passport.
Step 3: Fill in all the details carefully and select the new RPO based on your current residential address and jurisdiction.
Step 4: Select an appropriate date for document verification and pay the passport application fee.
Step 5: To update your RPO, obtain a police verification from your local police station.
Step 6: Visit the nearest PSK for verification on the appointment date.
Step 7: Once the verification is done, wait for the approval and processing of your new passport. Meanwhile, you can track your passport status through the Passport file number provided to you.
Documents Required to Change RPO
To successfully update your RPO in Passport, you’ll need:
- Current valid passport
- Address proof of the new residence (Aadhaar card, electricity bill, rent agreement, etc.)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Employer’s certificate (in case of transfer).
Common Scenarios Where You Need to Change RPO
You may need to change your RPO in your passport in these situations:
- Shift to a New City: If you’ve permanently moved, your jurisdiction changes.
- RPO Error in Your Passport: Sometimes, a clerical mistake assigns you to the wrong RPO.
- Application Processed Under Old Address: If your application was filed with your old address, but you want it linked to your new city’s RPO.
- Marriage or Job Transfers: Relocations due to marriage or job postings often require an RPO change.
Secure Your Passport with the Best Travel Insurance
We hope this blog fulfilled its purpose of educating you about the Regional Passport Offices. Now that you understand the complexity of passport issuance, we advise you to apply for a passport with even greater care.
Once you receive your Indian passport, you should take all the necessary steps to keep your precious documents safe. Even while you embark on an international trip, you should store your documents safely and secure them with the best travel insurance.
An international travel insurance policy can reduce your stress in an emergency, such as the loss of your baggage containing your passport and travel documents. Such a travel insurance policy will also cover your expenses incurred while applying for a duplicate passport. Thus, you should always ensure financial security with comprehensive travel insurance before embarking on a new journey to make memories!
Final Thoughts
The term RPO in passport refers to the Regional Passport Office that is handling your application. If you are applying for the first time, renewing your passport, or moving to a different city, knowing how to choose or change your RPO can prevent unnecessary delays.
With the correct preparation, changing your RPO is easy. Make sure your address proofs are up to date. Make a passport RPO appointment online and visit the Passport Seva Kendra at your scheduled time.
So next time someone asks you about RPO in a passport, you’ll not only know what it means but also how to change it like a pro!
>> Also Read: Easy Steps To Change Name and Address on Passport
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