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GS Paper II: Government Policies and Interventions |
Why in News?
Passport (Amendment) Rules 2025: Recently, the central government has amended the Indian passport rules. These revised rules will come into effect after being notified in the official gazette, bringing significant changes to the passport application process.
Passport (Amendment) Rules 2025
The Ministry of External Affairs issued a public notice on February 24, 2025, detailing the amended rules related to Indian passports.
- Mandatory Birth Certificate
- For individuals born on or after October 1, 2023, a birth certificate will now be mandatory for passport applications.
- Previously, applicants could use alternative documents such as a driving license, PAN card, Aadhaar card, or school leaving certificate to verify their date of birth. However, this option will no longer be available for the new generation under the revised rules.
- Changes in Passport Information
- Parental names will no longer be printed on the last page of the passport.
- Residential Address Update: The applicant’s residential address will no longer be printed on the last page of the passport. Instead, this information will be stored digitally in a barcode, which immigration officers can scan for verification.
Why Were the New Passport Rules Introduced?
- Preventing Fraud: The new rules aim to enhance security and transparency in the passport application process. Previously, multiple documents were accepted for date of birth verification, increasing the risk of falsification. Now, only a birth certificate will be valid, significantly reducing fraudulent applications.
- Document Accuracy: By making the birth certificate mandatory, the government ensures that all date of birth information is accurate and verifiable. This move is expected to reduce identity fraud and enhance the credibility of Indian passports.
- Protecting Privacy: Previously, the applicant’s residential address was printed on the last page of the passport, increasing the risk of privacy breaches. Now, with digitally stored address information accessible only via barcode scanning, personal details will remain secure and confidential.
- Global Credibility: By eliminating loopholes and ensuring authenticity, these new rules will strengthen the international reputation of Indian passports, making them more trusted globally.
Indian Passport: History and Evolution
The history of the Indian passport has undergone several significant changes from British rule to independent India. It serves not only as proof of citizenship and residential address but also as a crucial document for international travel and national security.
- Passports During British Rule
- In 1915, under the Defence of India Act, possessing a passport became mandatory for entry into and exit from India. This was part of British security policies.
- The Indian Passport Act of 1920 legally mandated the use of passports for travel into and out of India. It also regulated the movement of Indian citizens and foreign travelers.
- This passport was based on the 1920 League of Nations International Conference on Passports format.
- Passports in Independent India
- After India gained independence, the Government of India revoked all old passports in 1952.
- Under the new passport policy, only “respectable” individuals were issued passports. The objective was to prioritize national security, but this restricted the rights of many citizens.
- In 1967, the Supreme Court, in the case of Satwant Singh Sawhney vs. D. Ramarathnam, ruled that every citizen has the fundamental right to obtain a passport.
- Following this ruling, the Passports Act, 1967, was enacted, providing a legal framework for issuing passports and travel documents.
- This Act regulated the exit of Indian citizens and defined the legal provisions for international travel.
Key Features of the Indian Passport
- Presidential Note: Every Indian passport contains an official note from the President of India, requesting foreign authorities to allow the passport holder safe passage.
- Language: All information in an Indian passport is printed only in Hindi and English. The passport cover is usually dark blue for ordinary citizens.
- Security Features
- The passport contains biometric data such as the holder’s photograph and fingerprints for added security.
- It includes a Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) with encoded personal details, which can be scanned for fast and accurate verification.
- Holographic images of the National Emblem and the passport holder’s photograph are embedded to prevent forgery.
- Certain passport details (like passport number and personal information) are printed using fluorescent ink, which glows under UV light.
- The pages contain a unique watermark, making counterfeiting nearly impossible.
- Number of Pages: Based on travel requirements, the Indian passport is available in two versions: 36-page standard passport and 60-page frequent traveler passport.
Types of Indian Passports
The Indian passport is classified into three main categories, each with a specific color cover and purpose based on the holder’s role and travel needs.
- Ordinary Passport (P-Type)
- Issued to general citizens for personal travel such as vacations, education, and business trips.
- Has a dark blue cover.
- It is the most commonly issued passport, and the application process is simpler compared to other categories.
- Official Passport (S-Type)
- Issued to government officials traveling abroad for official duties.
- Has a white cover.
- Given to Indian government representatives, including Indian Armed Forces personnel posted abroad.
- Cannot be used for personal travel.
- Diplomatic Passport (D-Type)
- Issued to diplomats, Members of Parliament (MPs), Union Council of Ministers, senior government officials, and diplomatic couriers.
- Has a dark red/maroon cover.
- The dependents of these individuals can also use this passport.
- Now, diplomatic and official passport holders are issued e-Passports with biometric data. These electronic passports contain: A biometric chip storing the holder’s photo and fingerprints.
Global Recognition of the Indian Passport
As of January 2025, the Henley Passport Index ranked the Indian passport 85th in the world. This means Indian citizens can travel visa-free to 57 countries. The ranking reflects a country’s international travel privileges and the global credibility of its passport.
- Indian passport holders also enjoy the benefit of Visa-on-Arrival in several countries. This allows them to obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport or border checkpoint, making international travel more convenient and hassle-free.
- Indian citizens can travel without a visa to several countries, including: Angola, Barbados, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, etc. In these destinations, Indian travelers can enter without prior visa approval.
Important Note: The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking system that measures the strength of passports based on their visa-free access to other countries. The higher the number of visa-free destinations, the stronger the passport ranking.
- As of 2025, Singapore holds the top rank, with its citizens being able to travel visa-free to 195 countries.
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