New Passport Rules 2025: The Indian Government has recently announced major changes in the passport application process as part of the Passports (Amendment Rules), 2025. One of the key updates is mandating birth certificates for individuals born on or after the 1st of October 2023. The key changes were officially notified by the Union Ministry of External Affairs on February 24. These changes will come into effect once it gets published in the Gazette.
According to the revised passport guidelines, only birth certificates issued by a municipal corporation or the Registrar of Births and Deaths or any other authorized authority under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, will now be the official proof of date of birth. Those born before October 1, 2023, are exempted from this rule. Documents like PAN Cards, Voter ID, Transfer, school leaving or Class 10 board certificate, Driving license, LIC policy bond, etc, will continue to be acceptable for passport application.
Other Major Key Changes
Colour-coding system: Government officials will be issued white passports, diplomats will receive red passports, and citizens will continue to have blue passports.
Removal of Parents’ Names: To protect personal information, the new rules will no longer require the names of passport holders’ parents.
Residential address: The passport holder’s residential address will no longer be on the last page of the document. Instead, a barcode will be added to allow immigration officers to retrieve the required information.
Expansion of Passport Seva Kendras: The Central Government is planning to expand Passport Seva Kendras across the country. The total number of PSKs is set to increase from 442 to 600 in the next 5 years.
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