Srinagar- In a significant policy update, the central government has revised passport application rules, bringing in stricter documentation requirements and procedural changes.
An official note issued last week formalised the amendment to the Passport Rules, 1980.
The changes aim to enhance security and efficiency and provide a seamless experience for passport applicants.
Birth Certificate
Under the new norms, birth certificates issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, the Municipal Corporation, or any other authority empowered under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, will be accepted as proof of date of birth for individuals born on or after October 1, 2023, in accordance with the new passport regulations that were announced earlier this week.
However, those born prior to October 1, 2023, are exempt from the new regulations. These individuals may present their birth certificate, transfer, school leaving, or matriculation certificate from a recognised educational institution or their recent school, or their Permanent Account Number Card, which bears their birthrate and is issued by the Income Tax Department. Other documents, such as a copy of the applicant’s driving license or a copy from their service record, may also be submitted.
Residential Address To Be Embedded Digitally
The residential address mentioned on the last page of the passport, which was the norm until now, will no longer be printed on the passport. Instead, a barcode will now be printed on the passport, which immigration officials will scan to retrieve information.
Colour-coding system
A colour-coding system is being introduced to make it easier to identify the passports of different citizens. White passports for government officials, Red passports for diplomats and Blue passports will continue to be issued to ordinary citizens.
Removal Of Parents’ Name
The names of the passport holder’s parents will no longer be printed on the passport. The purpose of this regulation is to benefit children of divorced or estranged families.
Passport Seva Kendra
The Passport Seva Kendra, where passport holders’ application and verification process is carried out, will be expanded. In the next five years, there will be 600 “Passport Seva Kendras” operating, up from the current 442.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Posts extended their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a further 5 years in order to ensure that passport services would continue to be available through the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs).
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