A Comprehensive Guide: How to Track and Decode Your Indian Passport Application's Hidden Status
The official passport tracking website often gives vague statuses like "Under review at the Embassy/Consulate." This can be frustrating, especially when your application seems stuck.
However, there's a way to see the
detailed, internal status log of your application using your browser's developer tools. This guide will show you how to find this information and, using a real-world case study, teach you how to decode it.
Part 1: How to Find the Detailed Status (The "Inspect" Method)
You don't need to be a tech expert to do this. Just follow these simple steps:
- Open the Tracking Page: Go to the official passport tracking website where you enter your File Number.
- Open Developer Tools: Before you enter your details, right-click anywhere on the page and select "Inspect" or "Inspect Element". A new panel will open on the side or bottom of your screen.
- Go to the "Network" Tab: In this new panel, look for and click on the tab that says "Network".
- Submit Your Details: Now, fill in your File Number and Date of Birth on the webpage and click "Track Application".
- Find the Data File: As the page loads, you will see a list of files appearing in the Network tab. Look for a file name that is typically trackStatusForFileNo or similar. Click on it.
- View the "Response": Another small panel will open. Click on the "Response" or "Preview" tab. You will see a block of text, which is the raw JSON data containing the detailed history of your application.
Part 2: A Case Study - The Journey of a Passport Application
The most valuable part of the JSON is the StatusId section. This is a chronological log of every action taken on your file.
You need to read it from the bottom up.
Here is a real timeline of a renewal application submitted in Vancouver, which went from submission to "Print Initiated" in about 6 weeks.
Stage 1: Application Submitted & Initial Review (July 22)
- STATUS_DESC: "Submitted": This is the first entry. It simply means your application from BLS has been entered into the consulate's system.
- STATUS_DESC: "Granting Initiated": This is a key status that appears shortly after submission. It’s much more positive than "Under Review." It means an officer has physically or digitally picked up your file and started the actual review process.
Stage 2: Application Granted (Pre-Verification) (August 12 - Three Weeks Later)
- STATUS_DESC: "Application Granted on pre police verification basis": This is a major milestone. It means the consulate officer has approved your passport for printing without waiting for the police report from India. This is common for straightforward renewals.
- STATUS_DESC: "PV Initiated": This status appears at the same time. It means the system has now officially sent the verification request to the police in India. This is now a "Post-Verification"—it won't hold up your passport printing.
Stage 3: The Police Verification Bottleneck (Mid-August to Early September)
For about three weeks, the status did not change. The application was "Granted," but "Print Initiated" had not appeared. This is almost always due to a delay in the Police Verification Report (PVR) being uploaded back to the system. The detailed status confirms the application is in a holding pattern, which can empower you to follow up with the relevant police department in India.
Stage 4: Breakthrough - The Police Report is Uploaded (September 3)
After escalations, the log showed a flurry of activity on the same day:
- STATUS_DESC: "Submitted" (with EMP_ACTION: "Approved and Submitted as Clear by Police"): This means the police in India have officially submitted their "Clear" report.
- STATUS_DESC: "PVR Scan Uploaded": The physical report is now digitized and attached to your file in the central system.
- STATUS_DESC: "Print Initiated": This is the final major step. With the police verification officially cleared, the application is immediately sent to the production queue to be printed.
Part 3: Decoding Other Key Information
- statusMessage: This is the generic, public-facing status you see on the main tracking page. As you can see, it's far less informative.
- FILE_NO: This is your unique identifier. The first three letters often indicate the processing location (e.g., CAV for Canada, Vancouver; CAT for Canada, Toronto).
- pbo_id_fk: This is a numerical code for the mission processing your file. You can cross-reference it with the ospMissionList in the JSON to confirm the location (e.g., "86": "Vancouver").
What Happens After "Print Initiated"?
You're on the home stretch. The final steps are:
- Passport has been printed.
- Passport has been dispatched (from the central printing facility to your consulate).
- Final dispatch notification from BLS with your courier tracking number.
From "Print Initiated," it typically takes another 1-2 weeks to have the passport in hand.
Hopefully, this guide helps you better understand and navigate the passport renewal process
