Government Tightens Passport Rules, Introduces New Privacy and ID Features

New Delhi, September 25 (Udaipur Kiran News): The Central Government has recently amended the rules for obtaining passports, making documentation requirements stricter while simplifying certain processes.

Mandatory Documents

To apply for a passport, applicants must now provide a birth certificate issued by:

• A municipal corporation,

• Registrar of births and deaths, or

• Any institution recognised under the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1969.

For those born before October 1, 2023, alternate documents will be accepted, including:

• Government service record copy,

• PAN card,

• Driver’s licence,

• School leaving certificate, or

• Matriculation certificate.

Privacy and Security Changes

The residential address will no longer be printed on the last page of the passport. Instead, it will be stored in a barcode, which immigration officials can scan to access details. This is aimed at improving both security and privacy.

New Identification System

The government has also rolled out a colour-coded system for easy identification of passport holders:

• White passports for government officials,

• Red passports for diplomats,

• Blue passports for ordinary citizens.

Additionally, the requirement to print parents’ names on the last page has been scrapped, a move expected to benefit individuals from single-parent or separated-parent families while ensuring greater privacy.

The updated rules mark a significant shift in India’s passport issuance system, balancing tighter documentation checks with improved privacy safeguards.