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[2023-07-03 21:16]
These are notes regarding the process of renewing an Indian passport from Vancouver, BC ,Canada. If you don't qualify, cease reading here.
Main link to visit:
The checklist document that is available under the tab 'Document Requirements' is the main document to follow and actually use as a checklist for the documents to be gathered. It also contains an information booklet that is fairly useful.
You can call the BLS helpline listed on the website above, and I had all the information I needed from the helpful agent - including the option to pay for the courier based service during the call. A date is required for this - and one should be ready with all the documents on that date. If this payment is made, the label for the courier becomes available for download (and to be printed).
There is no particular benefit in a physical in-person visit, which includes standing in a potentially long queue for hours in advance of the opening time, and that the originals have to carried along. Whereas copies of the documents are savviest in the courier option.
The Purolator courier person would arrive between 10am and 2PM on the designated date. One can re-schedule this date (at-least this was possible with Purolator - and other than a somewhat extended wait - it was accomplished with the agent on the call)
As a part of the procedure, one has to fill in an online application form at the passport seva website of the Indian government. The link is available in the checklist document.
Side note on the photograph: though not explicitly mentioned anywhere, I went ahead and pasted my photograph on the online application form. The photograph guidelines are provided, but it seems places like London Drugs have a standard template for passport photos - which conforms generally to the listed requirements, and more, like including a time and address stamp on the back.