This is my personal experience with the passport application process.
I have applied for passport on March 6th 2013 in Bangalore, i have got it by hand on 26th march 2013. It just took 20 days for the whole process. It seems, nowadays the process is very fast.
About the required documents, i am not the right person to suggest, but i will mention what document i have used for my application.
Date Of Birth proof : SSC Marks Card
Address Proof : 1year HDFC Bank Account Statement
(Note: Some people have a misconception that, only government bank account statement is valid as address proof, but believe me, i have used my private bank account statement, i didn't face any problem. I have inquired some of the agents, all of them said, any statement from any bank is valid, because all are RBI recognized banks)
Process goes like this;
First of all we need to book for an appointment at passport seva kendra through online. This booking we can only do through online.
I had approached an agent to book a slot. He has done it with my details. Agent fee was 750 Rs. My appointment date was on 6th march, at 10.30 am. Venue : Passport Seva Kendra Marathahalli.
On the booking day, i had gone to seve kendra , by taking my application receipt printout and other required documents. (id and address proofs).
At the seva kendra, they will only allow us inside based on our time slots.
After getting inside the kendra, we can consider there are 4 stages, like 4 processing units, among four , three are verification points.
Will explain briefly, what happens at each counter. Here whenever i mention counter, it means a set of counters.
First Counter (Basic Verification and Token issue);
Private employees will be there at this counter. Once we enter inside the kendra, this is the first counter we encounter with. Here they do basic verification like, did we bring all the required documents? and will ask few question like, "from how long are you staying in Bangalore? and how long at the current place?" If everything is proper and they are satisfied with our answers, they will issue a token to us. Here, token means, a paper which contains our details and a number. This token (Paper) we need to carry, till we come out from the kendra.
Second Counter(also called A counter) : (Payment);
Once we get the token, we can wait in the hall. In the hall, there will be two big screens, which displays the counter numbers and tokens. We need to wait until our token number appears on the screen_._ Once it appears, we can approach the respective counter number. The same applies for next two counters also.
At this counter, they will first collect our documents , fees (we can only pay by cash), our biometrics (all finger prints from both the hands), and also they will take a snap for the photo. Here we can verify, out details once more in the computer screen, can make any more corrections like spelling mistakes. At last they will give us a file which contains all our documents and fee receipt.
Third Counter(also called B counter) : (Verification);
Once again we need to wait for our turn for the B counter. Once our token number appears on the screen, We need to carry our file to this counter. and also need to have all our original documents with us. Here they will strictly verify all the originals, and will ask lots of questions, on our stay, occupation and any other details. Most applications will be rejected here. If we are having all our documents proper, they is no need to fear. Our application will be approved.
Fourth Counter (also called C Counter) : (Last Verification);
This is the last counter we encounter with. At this counter, verification will be done by Government employees. Here people, who will be verifying will have lots of experience. If any thing missed at the B counter , here they will catch us. At this counter they will have a access to the systems, where they can check whether a person previously applied for passport anywhere. Here also they will ask few more questions. If they satisfy with everything, then they will approve our application. Then they will keep our application.
At last before coming out at the door, one small counter will be there. where they will give us the application receipt, which contains the application file number and other details. Using this file number, we can track our application status through online.
Police Verification:
Immediately , the next day (7th march), i have got a call from the Police station for the verification. They asked me to come to the police station with the xerox documents, and also with a passport photograph. I went and met the police officer with all my documents, then he asked some of the questions about the where is my house, he told me to draw the map of my area, and asked from how many years i am staying there?. After answering all the questions, he was satisfied and took my xerox copies , passport photo, and my signature in some of the documents.
That completes the verification process.
At last i have got my passport through speed post by 26th. i.e exactly after 20 days of applying.