INDIA: New Passport Rules for Indians: Key Changes
In a significant update, the Central Government has revised the Passport Rules, introducing new requirements for proof of date of birth and other modifications aimed at simplifying the application process and enhancing privacy. These updated rules, announced earlier this week, will affect passport applicants born on or after October 1, 2023.
According to officials, the amendment to the Passport Rules of 1980 was formalized through an official notification and will take effect once published in the official Gazette. Under the new regulations, birth certificates issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, Municipal Corporations, or any other authority authorized under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, will be the sole accepted proof of date of birth for individuals born on or after October 1, 2023.
For applicants born before this date, the current rules will remain in place. They can continue to submit various documents, including birth certificates, school transfer or leaving certificates, matriculation certificates from recognized educational institutions, Permanent Account Number (PAN) cards issued by the Income Tax Department, driving licenses, or service record extracts as proof of date of birth.
Key Changes You Should Know:
- Birth Certificate Requirement: Starting October 1, 2023, only birth certificates issued by authorized authorities will be accepted as proof of date of birth for passport applicants born on or after this date.
- Residential Address Privacy: To enhance privacy, residential addresses will no longer be printed on the last page of passports. Immigration officials will access this information by scanning a barcode.
- Colour-Coded Passports: The government has introduced color-coded passports to differentiate between categories of passport holders. Diplomatic passport holders will receive red passports, government officials will have white passports, and all other individuals will continue to receive blue passports.
- Parents’ Names: To support children of single parents or estranged families, parents’ names will no longer appear on the last page of passports.
These changes are part of the government’s efforts to modernize passport regulations, improve efficiency, and meet the evolving needs of citizens. The new rules aim to simplify the application process while ensuring greater privacy and inclusivity for all applicants.
