The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stated that a passport is a travel document, not proof of citizenship. Officials clarified on Wednesday that although it is issued only to Indian citizens, it does not serve as a document to prove citizenship. Earlier this year, during a hearing on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, the Supreme Court had observed that Aadhaar is not conclusive proof of citizenship but merely an identity document.
The Ministry of External Affairs also highlighted features incorporated into the new chip-based e-passports, such as biometric data, designed to ensure global acceptance and minimise the risk of fraud. India has issued chip-enabled e-passports that comply with international standards for security and authentication.
Officials stated that the government is streamlining services through more than 500 passport centers, with a target to deliver 1.5 crore (15 million) passports and related services in 2025. They noted that, excluding police verification, the process at Passport Seva Kendras takes less than 45 minutes and is completed within six working days.
A Ministry of External Affairs official mentioned that the number of countries offering visa-free entry to Indians has risen to 27, up from 16 in 2019. The official added, “47 countries offer ‘visa-on-arrival’ facilities to Indians, and 66 countries provide electronic visas.” They also highlighted several mobility agreements recently signed with European nations.
The Ministry of External Affairs will soon organise a two-day ‘Human Resource Mobility Forum’ to raise awareness
“These agreements facilitate the movement of academics, students, apprentices, general tourists, and business professionals. Simultaneously, they establish a system for the easy return of illegal migrants.” It bears reiterating that a passport is primarily a travel document, not proof of citizenship. The Ministry of External Affairs will soon organise a two-day ‘Human Resource Mobility Forum’ to raise awareness about legal migration pathways and facilitate networking between Indians seeking employment abroad and foreign employers.
Earlier, on the occasion of the 14th Passport Seva Divas, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke about the provision of accessible passport services for citizens. In a message shared on ‘X’, Jaishankar stated that the event marks the anniversary of the Passports Act, 1967, and reflects the modernization of India’s passport infrastructure.
Also Read: Why Hasn’t India’s Economic Growth Translated Into Greater Passport Strength?
