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TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Mar 10, 2025, 10:46 IST
The central government has revised passport application rules effective October 1, 2023, introducing a mandatory birth certificate requirement and digital embedding of residential addresses. New colour-coded passports and the removal of parents' names aim to enhance privacy and identification efficiency. The number of Passport Seva Kendras is set to increase.
In a significant policy update, the central government has revised passport application rules, bringing in stricter documentation requirements and procedural changes. Here are five key takeaways from the new passport regulations:
Birth certificate now mandatory
Starting October 1, 2023, individuals born on or after this date must use a birth certificate as the sole official proof of their date of birth. This document must be issued by the Municipal Corporation, the Registrar of Births and Deaths, or any authority designated under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
Those born before to this date, however, may continue to use other papers, such as extracts from service records, a PAN card, a driving licence, a school leaving certificate or a matriculation certificate.
Residential address to be embedded digitally
Residential addresses will no longer be printed on the last page of passports in an effort to improve security and privacy. Rather, a barcode inserted in the paper will be scanned by immigration officials to retrieve this information.
Introduction of a colour-coding system
To simplify passport identification, the government has introduced a colour-coded system:
White passports for government officials.
Red passports for diplomats.
Blue passports will continue to be issued to ordinary citizens.
This change aims to streamline identification processes for different categories of passport holders.
Removal of parents' names from passports
The updated rules remove the requirement to print parents' names on the last page of passports, improving privacy and benefiting individuals from single-parent or separated families.
Expansion of Passport Seva Kendras
To expedite passport services, the government plans to increase the number of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) from 442 to 600 during the course of the following five years.
To support this expansion, the Department of Posts and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a further five years.
These amendments aim to make the passport application process more secure, efficient, and uniform, ensuring a seamless experience for Indian citizens.
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