Official and Diplomatic Passport Application in Pune: Government Deputation, White Passport & MEA Norms

Official and Diplomatic Passports in India: Procedures and Privileges

While the vast majority of citizens travel on the standard navy blue ordinary passport (Type P), the Government of India issues two specialized travel documents for state representatives: the Official Passport (White Cover, Type S) and the Diplomatic Passport (Maroon Cover, Type D) under the Passports Act, 1967.

The White Official Passport is granted exclusively to government officials, defense officers, judges, and members of statutory bodies traveling abroad on official government deputation. The Maroon Diplomatic Passport is reserved for Indian Foreign Service (IFS) diplomats, Cabinet Ministers, and designated state envoys. Applications are processed directly through the Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi with RPO Pune clearance. KOKJAGUAR Consultancy provides procedural guidance for government officers and defense personnel in Pune. Explore our government passport advisory desk.

Key Features of Official & Diplomatic Passports

• White Cover (Official): Issued to government employees proceeding on official state missions; exempted from visa fees in many bilateral treaty nations.
• Maroon Cover (Diplomatic): Grants full diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
• Mandatory Political Clearance: Requires prior Political Clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs and cadre clearance.
• Custody Protocol: Must be surrendered back to the parent government department upon completion of the foreign deputation.