The external affairs ministry clarified that passports are government-issued documents to regulate Indian citizens' departure, following thorough verification processes.
Passports are travel documents, not citizenship proof
Jul 14, 2026
06:23 pm
What's the storyThe Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that an Indian passport is a document issued by the government to "regulate the departure from India" of Indian citizens.
This clarification comes amid a debate on whether passports can be used as proof of citizenship.
Passport meant to ‘regulate departure’ of Indian citizens from country: MEA
Passport a document to regulate departure of Indian citizens from country: MEA - The Economic Times
Passport is meant to ‘regulate departure of Indian citizens’, says MEA
Passport is a document meant to ‘regulate the departure from India of citizens of India’: MEA spokesperson
Indian passport issued for travel, not as proof of citizenship, MEA clarifies
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The Passports Act allowed the Central government to issue a passport “to a person who is not a citizen of India” if it is…
The Ministry of External Affairs clarified the passport's function on Tuesday. It stated the document regulates departure and is…
At present, fewer than 8% of Indian citizens hold the document, said ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Indian passport regulates citizens' departure from India, with less than 8% of citizens currently holding one, says MEA…
Government officials have defended their position by referring to legal precedents, including a 2013 Bombay High Court ruling
A passport facilitates international travel and consular protection but, as clarified by the external affairs ministry, it does…
