The Indian government has introduced new regulations for passport issuance, impacting individuals born on or after October 1, 2023. These changes are part of amendments to the Passport Rules of 1980, which will come into effect upon publication in the official Gazette. The revision aims to streamline identity verification for passport applicants.
According to the updated rules, individuals in the specified birth category must provide a birth certificate as the sole proof of their date of birth. This certificate must be issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths, the Municipal Corporation, or any other designated authority under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969.
Previously, alternative documents such as school certificates or Aadhaar cards were accepted for age verification. However, the new mandate ensures uniformity in documentation, reducing discrepancies and enhancing the efficiency of passport processing.
The government’s decision aligns with efforts to strengthen identity verification procedures and enhance security measures for Indian passport holders. This change is expected to simplify the passport application process and provide a standardised approach to date-of-birth verification.