The Government of India has introduced several key changes to the Passport Rules, 1980, aiming to streamline the passport issuance process and enhance security. Here's the overview of these changes:
- Mandatory Birth Certificate for Date of Birth Proof: For individuals born on or after October 1, 2023, a birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, a Municipal Corporation, or any authority authorized under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, is now the sole acceptable proof of date of birth for passport applications.
- Removal of Residential Address from Passport: To protect personal information, the new passports will not display the holder’s residential address on the last page. Instead, a barcode will be included, which can be scanned by immigration officials to access necessary information.
- Color-Coded Passports: The passports will be color-coded based on the holder’s status:
- Red: Diplomatic passport holders.
- White: Government officials.
- Blue: Ordinary citizens.
- Omission of Parents’ Names: The new passports will no longer include the names of the holder’s parents on the last page. This change aims to protect personal information and is particularly beneficial for children from divorced or estranged families.
These amendments will come into effect following their publication in the official Gazette. It’s important to note that while these changes have been widely reported, individuals should refer to official government sources or the Passport Seva website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.