New Passport Rules 2025
SYNOPSIS: The Passport Rules 2025 introduce key changes, including a mandatory birth certificate for those born on or after October 1, 2023, while older applicants can use alternative documents. The updates will come into effect once officially published in the Government Gazette.
Passport Rules 2025 Highlights
- Birth Certificate: People born on or after October 1, 2023, must submit a birth certificate as the only valid proof of date of birth.
- Alternative Doc for Older Applicants: Those born before October 1, 2023, can use other documents like school certificates, PAN cards, voter ID, and insurance doc to prove their date of birth.
- No Address on Passports: Residential addresses will no longer be printed on passports, and immigration officials will access the information through a barcode scan
- Passport Colors: Passports will be color-coded, with red for diplomats, White for government employees, and Blue for regular citizens
- No Parents' Names: The last page of passports will no longer display parents' names, which will help children of single parents or those from severed families.
A passport is an official document that proves a person’s identity and nationality. The Ministry of External Affairs of India issued a notification on February 24, 2025, in this connection:-
Birth certificate mandatory for those born after Oct 1, 2023
People born on or after October 1, 2023, will be submitted a birth
certificate as proof of date of birth. No other document is needed. This
certificate is to be issued by:
- The
Municipal Corporation,
- Registrar
of Births and Deaths
- Any authorized Govt body under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
What about those born before October 1, 2023?
- If
you were born before this date, you can use any one of the following doc
to prove your date of birth:-
- Birth
certificate issued by a government authority
- School
leaving certificate or matriculation certificate
- PAN
card showing your date of birth
- Service
records or pension documents (for government employees)
- Driving
license
- Voter
ID card with date of birth
- LIC or any public insurance policy document showing your date of birth
The address will no longer be printed on passports.
The residential address will not be printed on the last page of new passports. Instead, immigration officials can scan a barcode to access this information. This change is to protect privacy.
Different passport colors for different categories
The government has introduced different passport colors for particular categories
- Red
Colour for diplomats,
- White
for government employees
- Blue for regular passport holders
Parents' names were removed from the last page.
The last page of the passport will no longer display the parents' names. This change is helpful for children of single parents or those from severed families.
These new rules are applicable once it is officially published in the Govt Gazette. When you are applying for a new passport or renewal, please check the official government website for more updates, if any.
Previous Passport Rules introduced in 2016 - A Lookback:
Previous Passport Rules introduced on December 23, 2016, include the documents as follows:
Birth Certificate: Issued by the government or municipal office.
School Certificate: Leaving certificate or matriculation certificate with DOB.
PAN Card Issued by the Income Tax Department.
Aadhar Card: Physical or e-Aadhar with DOB.
Government Employee Records: Service record or pension order (for retired employees).
Driving Licence: Issued by the transport department.
Voter ID (EPIC Card): Issued by the Election Commission.
Insurance Policy Bond: Issued by public insurance companies with DOB.
Other Major Passport Rule Changes
Single Parent-Friendly Forms: Now, applicants only need to provide the name of one parent or guardian instead of both.
Fewer Annexure Forms: The number of required annexures has been reduced from 15 to 9.
Some forms have been removed or merged.
No More Attestation: Applicants no longer need to get annexures attested by a notary or magistrate. A self-declaration on plain paper is enough.
No Marriage Certificate Required: Married applicants don’t need to provide Annexure K or a marriage certificate.
No Need to Mention Spouse’s Name: Divorced or separated applicants
don’t need to mention their spouse’s name or submit a divorce decree.
Easier Process for Orphans: Orphaned children without a birth
certificate can get a passport if
The orphanage head confirms their DOB in a letter.
Children Born Outside Marriage: Only Annexure G is needed for such cases.
Simpler Adoption Process: Adopted children no longer need a registered adoption deed. A declaration on plain paper is enough.
For Government Employees: If they cannot get a No Objection Certificate from their employer, they can submit a self-declaration instead.
********
Passport Surrenders In 10 Years: See Updates
Over 22,000 People in Gujarat Gave Up Passports in 10 Years
In the last 10 years, more than 22,000 people from Gujarat gave back their Indian passports because they moved to live in other countries. Last year alone, 181 people gave back their passports. So far, the total is 22,993 since 2014. But in 2024, fewer people gave back their passports. The number this year is three times less than in 2023. On average, about 15 people gave back their passports every month this year
Gujarat is One of the Top States for Giving Up Passports
From 2014 to 2022, Delhi had the most people giving up Indian passports with 60,414 cases.
After Delhi, Punjab had 28,117, Gujarat had 22,993, Goa had 18,610, and Maharashtra had 17,171.
Across all of India, around 12.88 lakh people gave back their
passports during this time.
More People Going to Live in Other Countries
In the last six years, the Ahmedabad Passport Office gave out
about 36 lakh passports. This means more people are now traveling, studying, or
moving to other countries to live.
Read More: US
Visa Bulletin April 2025: Green Card Delays Worsen, Check Latest Updates Here
No comments:
Post a Comment