FPS
Free Passport Scheme
5.0/10The scheme aims to facilitate higher education and global career opportunities for students by covering the cost of passport issuance. Under this scheme, final-year UG and PG students in government colleges receive reimbursement for passport application fees.
States / UT: Haryana
Nodal department: Higher Education Department
Scheme for: Individual
Scheme profile
DBT (direct benefit transfer): No
Categories: Education & Learning, Travel & Tourism
Sub-categories: International education, Travel abroad
Target beneficiaries: Individual
Tags: Free Passport, Under Graduate, Post Graduate, Reimbursement, Student
Details
The "Free Passport Scheme" introduced by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Haryana, aims to encourage students to pursue higher education. Under this scheme, students in the final year of undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses in government colleges receive reimbursement for passport application fees. The concerned college will reimburse the passports free to the student who apply through as per scheme guidelines. The application procedure and processing time for getting passport are the same as for a regular passport.
Benefits
- - Reimbursement of passport application fee of ₹1,500/- to eligible students. Mode of Disbursement: The reimbursement is provided through the respective college where the student is enrolled
- Reimbursement of passport application fee of ₹1,500/- to eligible students.
Mode of Disbursement:
The reimbursement is provided through the respective college where the student is enrolled.
Eligibility
- The applicant should be a permanent resident of Haryana.
- The applicant should be a final-year student in a UG or PG course in a government college.
- The applicant should not possess an existing passport.
Note: The application procedure and processing time for getting passport are the same as for a regular passport.
Exclusions
- Students studying in private colleges are not eligible.
- Students who already hold a valid passport are not eligible.
How useful is this scheme?
A practical look at this scheme for citizens
AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.
- Accessibility5.0
- Financial impact4.0
- Rural utility4.0
- Awareness4.5
- Simplicity5.0
- Inclusivity6.0
What problem does this scheme solve?
The Free Passport Scheme provides financial assistance for passport fees to eligible students, promoting higher education opportunities.
Key challenges addressed
- Financial burden of passport fees for students
Most beneficial for
- Final-year UG and PG students in government colleges
Likely challenges
- Complex application process for semi-literate individuals
- Digital dependency may hinder access for some
Practical insights for citizens
The scheme's effectiveness may be limited by the digital divide and the complexity of the application process.
Rural challenges
- Limited internet access
- Lack of awareness about the scheme
Digital challenges
- Need for digital literacy to navigate online applications
Implementation bottlenecks
- Verification delays at colleges
Awareness challenges
- Low awareness among potential beneficiaries
Application analysis
- Application mode
- Online portal
- Documents burden
- Moderate, requires multiple documents
- Verification complexity
- Moderate, involves college verification
- Office dependency
- High, requires interaction with college
- DBT dependency
- No direct benefit transfer involved
- CSC support
- Limited
- Estimated citizen effort
- Moderate effort required for application and reimbursement
Estimated beneficiary reach
Benefit analysis
- Benefit type
- Cash reimbursement
- Benefit frequency
- One-time reimbursement per passport application
- Benefit practicality
- Practical for eligible students but requires upfront payment
- Financial meaningfulness
- Moderate, as it covers a significant fee for students
- Long-term impact
- Encourages higher education and international opportunities
Plain-language guidance
The Free Passport Scheme helps final-year students in Haryana get their passport fees reimbursed. This makes it easier for them to pursue higher education and job opportunities abroad.
- Who should apply
- Final-year UG and PG students in government colleges in Haryana.
- Who may struggle
- Semi-literate individuals and those without internet access.
- Best application route
- Apply via the Passport Seva portal and follow the outlined steps.
This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.
Application Process
Online
Application Process:
Step 1: Register on the Passport Seva portal.
Step 2: You will get a login ID and password.
Step 3: Log in and choose the applicable options (e.g. Fresh).
Step 4: Fill in the required fields of the form with care and submit.
Step 5: Pay the fees and schedule an appointment on the Passport Seva portal. To do this, click on the ‘Pay and Schedule
Step 6: Appointment’ link within the ‘View Saved/Submitted Applications’ sections.
Step 7: Click on the ‘Print Application Receipt’. The receipt contains your Application Reference Number (ARN) or appointment number. It also mentions the time and date of your appointment.
Appointment Process:
Step 1: Go to the Passport Seva Kendra where the appointment has been booked.
Step 2: Remember to carry the originals of the documents that you provided for your application. To be on the safe side, carry some self-attested copies as well.
Step 3: Carry a copy of the online payment receipt as well. An SMS receipt will do as well.
Step 4: Head to the pre-verification counter to collect your token.
Step 5: When it is your turn (as per the token), go to counter A to submit your documents.
Step 6: Following this, you will be called to Counter B. Here a verification officer will verify the documents and details you have submitted.
Step 7: Finally, a granting officer will review your application and decide whether or not to grant your application. Upon approving your application, the granting officer will send a request for police verification of your case.
Once your police verification report comes in and it is clear, the authorities issue your passport. It gets printed, laminated, and finally dispatched to your address. The whole process takes anywhere between 25 and 30 days under the normal mode.
REIMBURSEMENT OF PASSPORT FEE
The Government of Haryana will bear the cost of the passport fee. After issuance of the Passport, the Student needs to apply for the reimbursement of the fee. The college will reimburse the fee to the student who applied through this portal.
Step 1: Visit the Official Website of the Free Passport Scheme.
Step 2: Click on the " Apply for Passport Fees Reimbursement."
Step 3: You will land on the Login Page. Login using your login credentials (Credentials are the same as "ERP Portal" for Login).
Step 4: Fill out the Fee Reimbursement Form upload a copy of the passport and click on submit.
Verification by College
The college will verify the details of the student who applied for fee reimbursement.
Payment Challan Generation by Head Office
After verification, the college will generate the Challan/EPS on the eSalary website.
Fee Reimbursement from the Treasury
After clearance of the bill from the treasury, the amount will be credited to the student.
Clarifications
Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).
- What is the Free Passport Scheme, and who implements it?
The Free Passport Scheme is an initiative by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Haryana, to reimburse passport fees for final-year UG and PG students in government colleges.
- Who is eligible to apply for the Free Passport Scheme?
Final-year UG and PG students studying in government colleges in Haryana are eligible. The applicant must be a permanent resident of Haryana or have completed Class 10 from the Haryana Board of School Education.
- Is the scheme available for students of private colleges?
No, the scheme is only available for students enrolled in government colleges in Haryana.
- What expenses does the Free Passport Scheme cover?
The scheme reimburses the passport application fee of ₹1,500 for eligible students after the successful issuance of the passport.
- Do students need to pay the passport fee first and then apply for reimbursement?
Yes, students must pay the passport application fee during the application process and later apply for reimbursement through their respective colleges.
- How can a student apply for passport fee reimbursement?
Students must log in to the Department Portal, fill out the Fee Reimbursement Form, and upload a copy of their issued passport.
- What happens after a student submits the reimbursement application?
The college verifies the student's details. After verification, the college generates a Challan/EPS on the eSalary website for processing by the head office.
- When will students receive the reimbursement amount?
After the bill is cleared by the treasury, the reimbursed amount will be credited directly to the student's bank account.
- What documents are required to apply for the passport?
Students need an Aadhaar Card, proof of address, birth certificate or secondary school certificate, student ID card, bona fide certificate, and attested photocopies of certificates from the institution.
- Is there a minimum attendance requirement to be eligible for the scheme?
Yes, students must have a minimum of 80% attendance in the academic year to qualify.
- How long does it take for the passport to be issued?
The passport issuance process takes approximately 25 to 30 days under the normal application mode.
- Where should students submit their passport application?
Students must apply through the Passport Seva portal, fill in the required details, schedule an appointment, and visit the Passport Seva Kendra with the necessary documents.
- What happens if a student's reimbursement application is rejected?
If the application is rejected due to incorrect or missing details, students should contact their college authorities for clarification and reapply if necessary.
- Can a student apply if they already hold a passport?
No, the scheme is only applicable to students applying for a passport for the first time.
Official links
References
- Official Website
- https://passport.highereduhry.ac.in/Default.aspx
- Application Process
- https://erp.highereduhry.ac.in/HowToApplyPassport.aspx
- Passport Fee Reimbursement
- https://erp.highereduhry.ac.in/
Apply
Apply nowOpens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of Free Passport Scheme?
- Free Passport Scheme is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Education & Learning, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
- Who can apply for Free Passport Scheme?
- Eligibility for Free Passport Scheme may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
- What benefits are offered under Free Passport Scheme?
- Benefits under Free Passport Scheme may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
- Which department manages Free Passport Scheme?
- Free Passport Scheme is managed by Higher Education Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
- Can users apply online for Free Passport Scheme?
- Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Free Passport Scheme through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
- Is Aadhaar mandatory for Free Passport Scheme?
- Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
- Where can users apply for Free Passport Scheme?
- Applications for Free Passport Scheme may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
- What documents may be required for Free Passport Scheme?
- Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
- Is income certificate required for Free Passport Scheme?
- Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Free Passport Scheme.
- Is Free Passport Scheme available in all states?
- No, Free Passport Scheme is primarily available for eligible residents of Haryana and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.
- Can residents outside Haryana apply for Free Passport Scheme?
- Eligibility for Free Passport Scheme is generally limited to residents of Haryana unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.
- Can students apply for Free Passport Scheme?
- Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Free Passport Scheme depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
- Is scholarship amount provided under Free Passport Scheme?
- Free Passport Scheme may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
- Can CSC centres help users apply for Free Passport Scheme?
- Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
- How can users check the latest updates for Free Passport Scheme?
- Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
- Can beneficiaries track application status for Free Passport Scheme?
- Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
- Where can users get help for Free Passport Scheme in Haryana?
- Users in Haryana may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
- Which nearby public services may help with Free Passport Scheme applications?
- Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.