Police Clearance Certificate PCC procedure Passport India

The company which I work for has put PCC as mandatory item for Visa process initiation. I was clueless where to start. Now that I have completed it and done it for my spouse I decided share my findings for greater good of online community

1. You need NOT book any appointment online for PCC  My relative went for a PCC, she says rules have changed now and appointment is compulsory, except for seniors and if you have accompanied infants/kids . Check online sources or call 1 800 number of PSK on how to get an expedited appointment and other related details.  I do not live in India anymore so I do not know any latest updates on this topic. 

1. You can walk into any passport seva kendra - PSK- with a. your fill online application form (Barcode must) b. photocopies of your passport front back pages, ECNR pages and any prescribed address proof mentioned in the passport.gov.in site
2. Tell the security guy at the PSK that its for PCC they will allow you. 
3. In the reception area they will check your documents, place your documents in a brown paper jacket.  You can proceed inside now. Once you go inside take your token and wait for your turn. My experience: I was called in less than a minute from the point of token number generation. 
4. Counter A: photographs, money, fingerprints any corrections in the application 20 to 25 min
5. Counter B: Verification by the passport office employees. 15 min wait, 10 min to process
6. Counter C: Granting authority. 15 min wait, 5 min to process

If there is no change in address and if your passport is issued in same city PCC will be issued on the spot. They will give you PCC on a white paper and endorse the same in your passport 

If you do not fall into above category. They will send your passport for police verification. This is also surprisingly fast process. Police called me the next day and I got an SMS from Passport office on the 4th day.  After recieving the SMS go to the same PSK they will ask you to get your acknowledgement signed from Passport Officer/Assistant Passport officer. Once done take a token and visit counter C directly. 

They will issue PCC on a white paper and endorse the same in your Passport. 

Its surprisingly less painful process.  I visited Tolichowki PSK in Hyderabad.

Update:  PCC validity is decided by the respective foreign consulate not Indian passport office. 

Per Mumbai US consulate:
All police certificates are considered to be valid for one year from the date of issuance and must be valid on the day the your visa is issued.
http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/ivpolicecertificates.html



Per Official India passport website:
Q69: What is the validity of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?
A: There is no validity specified for PCC. PCC is not exactly a Passport Service. PCC is a requirement of foreign govts for grant of immigration/ work/residence/family visa/permit.. Generally it is considered valid for six months.
http://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/faqServicesAvailable

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