Passport is for travel, not citizenship proof, says MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that a passport is a travel document and not proof of citizenship. While a passport is issued only to Indian citizens, officials stated on Wednesday that it does not serve as conclusive evidence of citizenship.

This clarification comes amid broader discussions on identity documents. Earlier this year, during a hearing on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, the Supreme Court ruled that Aadhaar is not conclusive proof of citizenship, only a document of identity.

The MEA also highlighted new security features in chip-based e-passports, which include biometric data. These e-passports meet international standards and are designed to enhance global acceptance and reduce fraud. India has begun rolling out these documents.