In a significant policy shift, the Indian government has updated the passport application process, making birth certificates the sole acceptable proof of date of birth for individuals born on or after October 1, 2023.
A notification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on February 24 outlined amendments to the Passport Rules, 1980. These changes will be implemented once they are officially published in the Gazette. The primary goal of this modification is to standardize documentation and ensure consistency in verifying applicants’ ages.
Accepted proof of date of birth
For individuals born on or after October 1, 2023, the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2025, stipulate that only birth certificates will be accepted as proof of date of birth. The document must be issued by one of the following authorities:
- The Registrar of Births and Deaths
- The Municipal Corporation
- Any authority authorized under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969
This change is intended to eliminate inconsistencies in verification and establish a more reliable system.
For applicants born before October 1, 2023, the government will continue to accept a variety of documents to confirm the date of birth, including:
- Birth certificates issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or a Municipal Corporation
- Educational certificates, such as transfer, school leaving, or matriculation certificates
- PAN cards issued by the Income Tax Department
- Service records from government employment, including service extracts or pay pension orders
- Driving licenses issued by state transport authorities
- Election photo identity cards issued by the Election Commission of India
- Life insurance policy bonds from public sector insurance companies
This flexibility ensures that individuals from different backgrounds have multiple options to verify their date of birth when applying for a passport.
Expansion of Passport Seva Kendras
In addition to the changes in documentation requirements, the government has announced a significant expansion of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs). Over the next five years, the number of these centers will increase from the existing 442 to 600. This expansion is expected to improve accessibility and streamline passport services across the country.
To facilitate this, the MEA and the Department of Posts have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another five years. The continued operation and growth of these centers are intended to enhance service delivery, particularly for residents in remote and rural areas.
Other key changes in passport rules
Residential address no longer printed
One of the notable modifications involves the removal of residential addresses from the last page of passports. Instead of printed details, immigration officials will now access applicants’ residential information by scanning a barcode. This measure is expected to enhance privacy and security for passport holders.
Introduction of colour-coded passports
A new colour-coded system has been introduced for different categories of passport holders:
- Red passports will be issued to diplomatic passport holders
- White passports will be designated for government officials
- Blue passports will continue to be issued to regular citizens
This system is aimed at simplifying passport identification and improving categorization.
Parents’ names no longer mandatory
In a move to accommodate children of single parents or individuals from estranged families, the government has decided to remove parents’ names from the last page of passports. This change is meant to be inclusive and considerate of diverse family structures.
Reasons behind the amendments
Officials cited by PTI have indicated that these revisions were long overdue, primarily because birth certificates were not widely available in the past, especially in rural areas. However, with the stricter enforcement of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, birth certificates have now become a more standardized and accessible document. As a result, they are now considered the most reliable proof of date of birth.
Impact on passport applicants
These amendments reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring accuracy and uniformity in the passport issuance process. By making birth certificates mandatory for future generations, authorities aim to minimize discrepancies and establish a more reliable system of personal identification.
Applicants are encouraged to ensure they have the necessary documents based on their date of birth to avoid delays in the passport application process.
For further details on these updates, applicants can visit the official Passport Seva website.
