A passport is a travel document, not a document of citizenship, the State Department says | Today’s news
A passport is a travel document and not a citizenship document, officials of the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday as India marked the 14th Passport Seva Divas.
The ministry highlighted the measures incorporated into the new chip-based electronic passports, such as biometrics, to boost global adoption and reduce the risk of fraud.
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“The passport is issued after many thorough checks and is based on documents from several government agencies,” the official was quoted as saying by several media outlets.
The statement assumes significance as during the recent special intensive revision (SIR) hearing of electoral rolls, the Supreme Court said that Aadhaar is not an irrefutable proof of citizenship but only an identity proof.
The official said the government continues to expand the ease of service with more than 500 passport Kendras and supply of 1.5 million passports and related services in 2025 alone.
1.5 million passports delivered in 2025
In 2025, 1.5 million passports and related services were delivered, of which passports alone accounted for 1.39 million, an MEA official quoted by news agency ANI said.
With six business days for passports, excluding police verification, the time spent at PSK and POPSK takes less than 45 minutes.
The MEA official pointed out that there are now 545 Passport Kendras across the country as compared to 77 Passport Kendras present 10 years ago – a six-fold increase in the number of Kendras.
“We opened 10 POPSKs last year and 10 more will be opened this year,” the official said.
The MEA official further informed that there are now 27 visa-free entry countries for Indians, up from 16 in 2019.
“47 countries have visa on arrival for Indians and 66 countries offer e-visas for Indians,” the official added.
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The official emphasized that mobility agreements are mostly with Europe.
“They enable the easier mobility of academics, students, apprentices, ordinary tourists and businesses. They also create a mechanism for the easier return of illegal migrants.”
EAM welcomes efficient and citizen-oriented services
On the occasion of the 14th Passport Seva Divas, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday hailed efficient, transparent and citizen-centric passport services and highlighted the commitment of the Ministry of External Affairs to provide services to the people.
In a message shared on X, Jaishankar noted that the event commemorates the anniversary of the Passport Act 1967 and serves as a reflection on modernizing India’s passport infrastructure.
Jaishankar credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “minimum government, maximum administration” as the driving force behind the success of the Passport Seva programme.
He further confirmed that the MEA has achieved significant digital milestones, including the successful launch of the upgraded Passport Seva Program (PSP V2.0) domestically and the deployment of the Global Passport Seva Program (GPSP V2.0) at diplomatic missions across the globe to better serve the Indian diaspora.
The passport is issued after great care and is based on the documents of several government agencies.
He noted that one of the defining features of this technological shift is the successful introduction of chip electronic passports that meet international standards for security and authentication.
Key things
- A passport is not a proof of citizenship but a travel document, which highlights the importance of understanding its role.
- The successful introduction of e-passports with a chip increases security and reduces the risk of fraud, representing a significant technological advance in passport services.
- The expansion of Passport Kendras and services reflects the government’s commitment to improve citizens’ access to travel documents.
