New Passport Rules in India: Birth Certificate Now Mandatory
New Delhi, 5 March (www.deccanlive.com): The Indian government has changed the passport application rules. Now, all applicants must submit a birth certificate while applying.
Key Changes
- A passport is an essential document issued by the Ministry of External Affairs that serves as identity proof and citizenship verification.
- Traveling abroad (except for a few countries) is not possible without a passport.
- New Rule: If you were born on or after October 1, 2023, you must provide a birth certificate as proof of your date of birth while applying for a passport.
Before applying for a passport, make sure to check the updated list of required documents.
- Birth Certificate: For people born after October 1, 2023, only a birth certificate will be valid as proof of date of birth when applying for a passport. However, those born before this date can use additional documents like 10th-grade mark sheets, school leaving certificates, PAN cards, driving licenses, or any other government ID to prove their date of birth.
- Residential Address: The residential address will no longer be printed on the last page of the revised passport. Instead, immigration officers can scan the barcode to access the information.
- Color-Coding System: A new color-coded system has been introduced for passports. White passports will be issued for officials, red for diplomats, and blue for ordinary citizens. This will make it easier for authorities to identify passport types.
- Removal of Parents’ Names: The names of the passport holder’s parents will no longer be printed on the last page of the passport. This rule will provide relief to children of single parents or separated families and protect their privacy.
- Expansion of Passport Service Centers: The government has decided to increase the number of passport service centers from 442 to 600 within the next five years. This will improve security, efficiency, and convenience for applicants.
