Passport stuck on 'Under Review' or 'Pending Police Verification'? Here's how to track it properly and the RTI route that consistently unclogs stuck files.
Your passport application says "Under Review" or "Pending Police Verification" and hasn't moved in weeks — while your travel date creeps closer. The status page rarely tells you why. The good news: there's a reliable way to see the real hold-up, and a little-known RTI route that consistently unclogs stuck passport files faster than any number of helpline calls.
This playbook shows you how to track your application properly, find the actual reason for the delay, and escalate.
passportindia.gov.in) and the mPassport Seva app. You track status with your file number and date of birth.Log in to Passport Seva or the mPassport Seva app and check "Track Application Status" with your file number and DOB. Note the exact stage — Under Review, Pending Police Verification, Granted, or Sent for Printing — and the date it last changed.
If it's Pending Police Verification, the file is with the police, not the RPO. If it's Under Review at the RPO for long, the hold is at the passport office. Knowing which one decides who you chase.
Raise a grievance on the Passport Seva portal or call 1800-258-1800. Log the grievance ID. This is quick and sometimes enough on its own.
If the grievance stalls, file an RTI to the Public Information Officer of your Regional Passport Office asking for your file's current status, the reason for delay, and the expected disposal date — and, if it's police verification, ask the police PIO for the PVR status. RTIs on passport files are answered fast and specifically, because the delay reason must now be put in writing.
If the RTI reveals an avoidable holdup (e.g. the PVR was completed but not uploaded), escalate on CPGRAMS with the RTI reply attached, or write to the RPO's grievance officer citing it.
Copy, fill in the [highlighted] bits, and send.
To, The Public Information Officer, Regional Passport Office, [City]
Subject: Information under the RTI Act, 2005 regarding passport file no. [File Number]
Sir/Madam, Under Section 6 of the RTI Act, 2005, kindly provide regarding my application, file no. [File Number] dated [Date]:
I enclose the ₹10 application fee. BPL exemption proof attached if applicable.
Name: [Your Name] Address: [Your Address] Date: [Date]
Respected Sir/Madam, my passport application (file no. [File Number], applied [Date], [Normal/Tatkaal]) has been at stage [Stage] since [Date]. Grievance ID [Grievance No.] is unresolved. I request the reason for delay and an expected disposal date. — [Your Name], [Your Phone Number]
Log in to the Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in) or the mPassport Seva app and use 'Track Application Status' with your file number and date of birth. Note the exact stage and when it last changed.
The file is with the police, not the passport office. Chase the local station or SP office, and file an RTI to the police Public Information Officer for the status of your Police Verification Report (PVR).
Often, yes. An RTI to the Regional Passport Office asking for the status, reason for delay and expected disposal date forces the delay reason into writing — which frequently surfaces avoidable holdups like a completed PVR that was never uploaded.
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