Passport Rule Change: The central government has made an important change in the process of getting a passport in India. Now birth certificates have been made mandatory for people born on or after 1 October 2023. That is, now these people will have to submit only a birth certificate instead of any other document to get a passport. This step has been taken to make the passport application process streamlined and transparent.
Documents required for passport
Passport in India is issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, for which there are 36 passport offices across the country. Some important documents have to be submitted to get a passport, which includes identity proof, residence proof, and date of birth proof.
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Earlier, documents like school leaving certificates, driving licenses, PAN cards, or Aadhar cards were recognized for date of birth proof. But now the government has changed it and considered only birth certificates as a valid document for people born on or after 1 October 2023. This change has been made to make the passport application process more simple and effective.
Who will the new rule apply to
This new rule will apply only to those who are born on or after October 1, 2023. Birth certificates will be mandatory for such people to get a passport and without it, they will not be able to apply for a passport. At the same time, people born before October 1, 2023, can still use alternative documents like driving license, school leaving certificate, PAN card, and Aadhaar card to prove their date of birth.
This change by the government aims to make the passport application process more streamlined and transparent. Making birth certificates mandatory will ensure the authenticity of documents and reduce the possibility of fraud. Also, this will make the passport application process more simple and effective.
How to apply for a passport
One can apply online to get a passport or apply by visiting the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). After the application, there is a police verification process, after the successful completion of which the passport is issued.