Pune, 6th February 2026: Despite several reforms aimed at speeding up passport services, the police verification stage continues to be a major hurdle for many applicants. While most cases are processed within the prescribed time, document-related complications during verification at police stations often lead to delays.
According to police data, between 2023 and 2025, nearly two-thirds of passport verification cases in Pune were completed within 15 days. In 2025 alone, out of 1,63,708 applications received till November 30, more than 1.13 lakh cases were cleared within the 15-day window.
However, the system has not yet been able to completely eliminate cases that take over 30 days, which still account for about five to seven per cent of applications.
Police officials said delays are most common in cases involving tenants, migrant citizens, students, and applicants from other states, as they are often required to submit additional address-related documents. In several instances, verification reports are not submitted on time due to discrepancies or incomplete paperwork, leading to extended processing periods.
During verification, police also check the applicant’s criminal background through the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS). Officials admitted that in some cases, this background check adds to the processing time.
Senior officials have issued clear instructions that no unnecessary documents should be demanded, verification must be completed promptly, and applicants should not be inconvenienced. Police commissioners, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and senior inspectors have been directed to regularly review pending cases.
Experts believe that better integration of digital databases and reducing the number of required documents could further speed up the process. They also suggest that informing applicants in advance about required documents, along with a fixed date and time for police station visits, would significantly reduce delays.
Overall, while passport police verification in Pune has become faster for most applicants, systemic improvements are still needed to ensure timely clearance for all, especially those with complex residential histories.
