Thanks, viki1805.if you're gonna get it from SFO, that's not an option. it is clearly mentioned in the instructions that same day service is not available at this consulate. perhaps that would work in some other Indian consulate but not in SFO. You HAVE to mail your passport or go drop it off in person but it would still take a month!
you can see the same mentioned in the last parts of the below link.
http://www.cgisf.org/page/display/143/236
There's really nothing to worry about. I emailed them too asking about it and they confirmed that we have to mail in the original passport or go in person to drop it off.
I fly next month and don't want to risk giving them the PP and not getting it back in time! On the other hand, if I delay then I'm gone for most of my 60-day period to upload my docs. Hence, I was trying to decide which option is best: mail or in person. I'm still undecided on which option works best.
Guess I got confused when I read on SFO website that you need to "present" your PP - thought that meant that you just show PP and get it back. On another thread, someone suggested that they give it back to you same day and send PCC in separate mail. Isn't that what happens?