New passport rules notified
India’s federal government has announced a major change in the passport application for those willing to apply or update their passport shortly.
As per the document released by the Gazette of India, these rules may be called the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2025, and they shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
Under the new rule, any individual born on or after Oct. 1, 2023, must present their birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the Municipal Corporation as the only proof of their date of birth.
However, anyone born before Oct. 1, 2023, can present the birth certificate or alternative documents such as HSC certificate or driving licence among others to prove their date of birth.
Documents required for proof of Date of Birth for individuals born before October 1, 2023:
Birth certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths or the Municipal Corporation
Transfer or school leaving or matriculation certificate issued by the recognised school last attended or recognised educational board having the date of birth of the applicant
Permanent Account Number Card issued by the Income-tax Department having the date of birth of the applicant
Copy of an extract of the service record of the applicant (only in respect of Government servants)
Pay Pension Order (in respect of retired Government servants), duly attested or certified by the officer- in-charge of the administration of the concerned Ministry or Department of the applicant, having his date of birth
Driving licence issued by the Transport Department of the concerned State Government, having the date of birth of the applicant
Election Photo Identity Card issued by the Election Commission of India containing the date of birth of the applicant
Policy bond issued by the Life Insurance Corporations of India or Public Companies having the date of birth of the holder of the insurance policy
Removal of residential address
Along with this the government has also decided to remove the residential address printed on the citizen’s passport for privacy purposes. The address will now be held in the barcode that is printed on the passport.
Parents’ name removed
Parent’s names of the passport holders which is typically printed on the last page of the passport will now be removed in order to protect personal information and to benefit those separated from families.