If you are an Indian passport holder or planning to apply soon, there’s a major update you shouldn’t miss. The Central Government has recently announced new passport rules that have introduced significant changes to the process. The most critical update is related to a specific document for passport application—without it, your application will be rejected. In this article, we break down all the important changes around passport news, including updates about address, parents' name, and new operational measures.
New Passport Rules: Birth Certificate Now Mandatory
As per the new passport rules, if you are born on or after October 1, 2023, you must submit a birth certificate while applying for a passport. This document for passport is now compulsory. Without it, your application will not be processed.
Earlier, applicants had some flexibility in providing alternative documents, but under the revised passport news update, the birth certificate has become a mandatory document for the new generation of applicants. Those born before October 1, 2023, can continue to follow the old procedure.
No More Address on Passport
Under the latest passport news, the Central Government has also announced that the home address of the passport holder will no longer be printed on the last page of the passport. Instead, a barcode will be printed, which can be scanned by officials to access the required address details securely.
This change in the new passport rules is aimed at protecting personal data and ensuring privacy. Authorities believe this will help safeguard the passport holder’s sensitive information, especially when travelling abroad or using the passport for verification purposes.
Expansion of Passport Seva Kendras
Currently, there are 442 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) operating across India, but delays and backlogs remain a major issue. In light of the recent passport news, the government has revealed plans to expand the network to 600 centres.
This expansion is part of the broader new passport rules initiative to streamline passport services and ensure faster processing for applicants. With more PSKs, people in remote and smaller towns will also have improved access to apply for or renew their passports.
Parents’ Names to Be Removed from Passport
Another big change in the new passport rules is the removal of the mother’s and father’s names from the passport. Until now, the last page of Indian passports featured both parents' names, but that will no longer be the case.
This update has been introduced to promote inclusivity and privacy, especially for children of single parents or individuals from diverse family structures. While the names will not be visible on the passport, relevant records will still be maintained digitally by the authorities for verification purposes.