need advice - passport damaged - running out of time

I need to apply for my HSMP entry clearance visa by 23 December. i went to the local consular office here in hyderabad, india today, but was told that they couldn't accept my application as my passport has water stains on it, and that i would have to get a fresh passport issued. I am applying for a fresh passport on an urgent basis, but in the event of it not being issued in time, is there anything i can do? Can i request the HSMP team to extend the time? Or should i insist on applying with the damaged passport, and if they reject it, reapply (by which time i should have got my new passport)?

Any advice would be welcome

What is the date on your HSMP approval? I dont know if they are allowed to extend the HSMP date by which you need to get the approval (3 months from the date of issue)

What about the Tatkal scheme in India to get passports issued on an urgent basis? It requires an extra fees but it is done on an expediate basis. Have you explored that possibility?

My passport is expiring in three days too, but it will take just another three days for me to get a renewal. How long will it take you in India?

Mwazir, Alagomeji...thanks for your responses. I am going to try the tatkal scheme here, which can get me the passport in 3-4 days, but it might not work as the city i live in now is different from the one where the passport was issued, so there's stuff like police verification, etc. Iwill be going to the passport office first thing tomorrow, and see what they say. I might have to make a trip to my hometown, if it seems easier to do it from there.

My HSMP letter states that I must apply for entry clearance 3 months from the date of the letter (24 Sep), which makes it 23 Dec, in effect.