• The Daily Hints
• 01 Mar, 2025

The Indian government has introduced a crucial change to passport rules. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) from October 1st, 2023 onwards a birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or Municipal Corporation will be the only accepted proof of birth for passport applications. This amendment comes under Section 24 of the 1967 Passport Act and will be enforced starting 2025.

Details & Context

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released an official statement on February 24th, 2025 announcing a significant update to the existing passport rules,

- Under the amended 1980 Passport Rules individuals born on or after October 1st, 2023 must submit a birth certificate as their sole proof of birth for passport applications.

- This birth certificate must be issued by

  - Registrar of Births and Deaths

  - Municipal Corporation

  - Any other authorised government authority

- The rule is part of the government's effort to streamline identity verification and strengthen the passport application process.

Quotes

The Ministry of External Affairs stated

- “The amendment under Section 24 of the 1967 Passport Act aims to bring clarity and uniformity to the passport application process by mandating birth certificates as the only valid proof of birth for those born after October 1st, 2023.”

Additional Information

For applicants born before October 1st, 2023 other documents will still be accepted as proof of birth, including

- School Transfer Certificate or School Leaving Certificate showing date of birth.

- PAN Card issued by the government.

- Service Records of government employees.

- Driving License or Voter ID Card with birth details.

This flexibility ensures that older applicants are not affected by the new rules while reinforcing stricter identity verification for newer generations.

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Impact Analysis

The updated passport rules will

✅ Ensure greater transparency and reduce identity fraud.

✅ Simplify document submission for applicants born after October 1st, 2023.

✅ Align passport application rules with government record systems like birth registrations.

✅ Encourage parents to promptly register births to avoid complications later.

The change reflects the government’s commitment to streamline public services and enhance security measures in identity verification processes.

The new passport rules in India mark a significant shift towards standardised identity documentation. Starting 2025 birth certificates will become a mandatory document for passport applications for those born after October 1st, 2023.

For older applicants, traditional documents like school certificates, PAN cards and voter IDs will remain valid for birth proof.

It’s crucial for applicants and parents to stay informed about these changes to ensure a smooth passport application process. 

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