I got my learners license in January,2021 (Punjab) and the process was a bit complicated although I managed to get it done without any agent.
First had to fill in the details on the "Sarathi" portal, followed by printing of the documents.
Then had to get the Medical done by a doctor.
After that, had to attach it with rest of the forms and took an appointment through the website itself of nearest Sewa Kendra.
The staff was not really aware of the exact process, had to explain them how I myself got the forms filled without any agent!
The guy said I am the first one in last 3 years of his experience there to get it done by myself
He objected that I had not attached my Blood Test report and rejected my file. I tried to explain him there is nowhere written on the website but he was not open to listen to my arguments (typical sarkaari kaam).
Then I again went there with my blood report attached but now he again objected and said I have not attached "Self Declaration Form Punjab". Although "Self Declaration" form which was obtained from the website was duly attached but he said the former is also necessary (which again had no mention on the website).
I asked him where to get that and he gave me a phone number of some agent and asked me to get it from him (I understood he won't accept my file without it being applied by an agent). But I refused to involve any agent and asked him to guide me through official channel only. He seemed a bit uncomfortable with that but after 5 minutes himself gave me that form and asked me to fill it (Now it was clear they had some commission and stuff with the agents).
Anyway I filled it on the spot and submitted it to him.
He then verified through official portal of theirs and gave me a date to come and give the test.
The test was on a computer in the sewa kendra itself and I got 9/10 in the test. 3 questions were really tough out of which 2 I could get away with tukka and got 1 wrong. The question was:-
If drunken driving is detected, the driver is liable to be punished with
a. Imprisonment upto 6 months or ₹1000 fine or both
b. Imprisonment upto 1 year or ₹2000 fine or both
c. 2 years imprisonment
The answer was a. but I had ticked b.
(I am not sure if these are the updated ones since these fines got 10 times more expensive last year, so even I was not wrong ,
)
Regarding this new thing that now one can give this test from home is a good initiative but the process before the test involves multiple visits to the RTO or a single visit to an agent. So now you have 1 reduced visit to the RTO and easier chance to cheat and get 10/10 in the test!
Regards
Ranvir