New Delhi: The Indian government has announced major changes to passport regulations, including mandatory birth certificates for applicants born after October 1, 2023, a new colour-coded system, and enhanced security features. Additionally, the requirement to include parents’ names on passports has been revised, and residential addresses will no longer be printed on the last page.
Birth Certificate Now Mandatory for Certain Applicants
A key change is the mandatory requirement of a birth certificate for passport applicants born on or after October 1, 2023. Unlike the previous system, which accepted alternative documents such as school certificates and PAN cards as proof of birth, only birth certificates issued by a municipality, corporation, registrar of births and deaths, or institutions authorised under the Registrar of Births and Deaths Act, 1960, will now be accepted.
Rules Remain Unchanged for Those Born Before October 1, 2023
For applicants born before October 1, 2023, the existing rules will continue to apply. They may submit school certificates, matriculation certificates, PAN cards, driving licenses, or extracts from service records as proof of age.
Residential Address to Be Embedded in Barcode
The passport’s last page will no longer display the holder’s residential address. Instead, this information will be embedded in a secure barcode, which can be scanned by immigration officials when needed. This measure aims to enhance security and prevent misuse of personal data.
Introduction of a New Colour-Coded System
The government has also introduced a colour-coded passport system to differentiate between categories of passport holders:
- Red Passports—Issued to diplomats
- White Passports—Issued to government officials
- Blue Passports—Issued to ordinary citizens (no changes)
Removal of Parents’ Details from Passports
In a move designed to protect the privacy of individuals from separated families and single-parent households, the last page of the passport will no longer include details of the holder’s parents. This ensures that unnecessary personal information is not disclosed.
Expansion of Passport Service Centres
To accommodate the rising demand for passports, the government has announced the expansion of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs). The number of centres will increase from 442 to 600 over the next five years, making passport services more accessible across the country.
These reforms reflect the government’s commitment to enhancing security, improving efficiency, and protecting personal privacy in India’s passport issuance process.
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