The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that an Indian passport is issued to regulate the departure of Indian citizens from the country and should not be treated as proof of citizenship.
The clarification comes amid an ongoing national debate over which documents can be accepted as proof of Indian citizenship, particularly following the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained the legal status of the passport during the ministry’s weekly media briefing on Tuesday.
Passport Issued Under the Passports Act, 1967
According to the MEA, an Indian passport is issued under the Passports Act, 1967. Jaiswal said the passport is a government-issued document that allows and regulates the departure of Indian citizens from India. However, he stressed that it is not meant to establish or certify a person’s citizenship.
The ministry also revealed that less than 8% of Indian citizens currently hold a passport, meaning a majority of Indians do not possess the document.
Clarification Follows Questions on Citizenship Proof
The issue gained attention after questions were raised about whether a passport could be accepted as proof of citizenship during the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Earlier, senior MEA officials had also explained that while a passport identifies a person’s nationality for international travel, it does not by itself establish or legally prove citizenship.
The latest statement reiterates the government’s position on the legal purpose of the passport.
Citizenship Governed by a Different Law
Officials explained that citizenship in India is governed by the Citizenship Act, 1955, whereas passports are issued under the Passports Act, 1967. The MEA pointed out that the two laws serve different purposes.
While the Ministry of External Affairs issues passports for international travel, matters related to citizenship fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Because of this legal distinction, possessing a passport alone does not independently grant or confirm Indian citizenship.
Political Reactions Follow Statement
The clarification has drawn criticism from some opposition parties, including the Congress. The party alleged that the government’s stand could eventually be used to deny citizenship rights to certain individuals.
However, government sources maintained that there has been no change in the legal position. They said the passport has always been a travel document issued under the Passports Act, while citizenship continues to be governed separately under the Citizenship Act.
Legal Position Remains Unchanged
The MEA’s latest clarification underlines that an Indian passport is an official travel document issued to Indian citizens for international travel and to regulate their departure from the country.
At the same time, the ministry has made it clear that the passport should not be viewed as a standalone legal document to establish or confer Indian citizenship, as citizenship is determined under separate laws and procedures.
Also Read: India Slips To 125th In Global Passport Index 2026, Remains Outside Top 100 https://www.vibesofindia.com/india-global-passport-index-2026-rank-125-visa-free-travel/
