New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that a passport is primarily a travel document issued by the government to facilitate international travel, and not a document that establishes citizenship.
In a note released ahead of Passport Seva Diwas, the ministry said that merely possessing a passport should not be considered definitive evidence of a person’s citizenship.
The ministry also highlighted the expansion of passport services across the country. It said 1.39 crore passports were issued in 2025, and passports are being delivered within six working days after police verification is completed.
Over the past decade, the number of Passport Seva Kendras has increased significantly—from 77 centres earlier to 545 now, it added.
The ministry noted that commonly accepted and stronger proofs for establishing citizenship include documents such as a birth certificate and records related to parents’ citizenship.
