Clarification on Indian Passport Eligibility and Citizenship Proof
The Indian government has clarified that only citizens are eligible for Indian passports, which serve as travel documents but do not definitively prove citizenship. In a recent parliamentary session, Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh addressed questions regarding the eligibility criteria for passport issuance and the implications of acquiring foreign citizenship. Despite the detailed responses, the government refrained from explicitly stating whether an Indian passport is conclusive proof of citizenship. This article delves into the nuances of the government's stance on citizenship and passport regulations, highlighting the complexities surrounding dual citizenship and the verification process for passport issuance.
Jul 31, 2026, 12:33 IST
Government's Stance on Indian Citizenship and Passport Issuance
Amid ongoing discussions regarding which documents can serve as proof of Indian citizenship, the central government informed Parliament on Thursday that only Indian citizens are eligible to obtain an Indian passport. Additionally, it reiterated that a passport is a travel document issued to regulate the exit of Indian citizens from the country, although it did not clarify whether it serves as definitive proof of citizenship. In response to questions raised by Rajya Sabha MP Abdul Wahab, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that Indian passports are issued by the Government of India under the Passport Act of 1967, following a proper verification process.
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Wahab sought clarification on whether an Indian passport is definitive proof of citizenship, the eligibility criteria for passport issuance, the impact of acquiring foreign citizenship on Indian nationality, the process for foreign nationals to obtain Indian citizenship and passport eligibility, and whether the government plans to review the citizenship and passport framework. However, the government did not provide a straightforward yes or no answer regarding whether an Indian passport is definitive proof of citizenship. Singh reiterated that Indian passports are issued under the Passport Act of 1967 to regulate the departure of Indian citizens from India. This is done after proper verification through an established process. This response exemplifies the government's avoidance of explicitly declaring the Indian passport as definitive proof of citizenship. Instead, it emphasized that passports are travel documents issued under the Passport Act, aimed at regulating the exit of Indian citizens after verifying their eligibility.
The central government maintains that only Indian citizens can be issued Indian passports.
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The minister referenced Articles 9 and 11 of the Constitution, along with Section 9 of the Citizenship Act of 1955, to clarify that India does not recognize dual citizenship. Singh stated that the provisions of Articles 9 and 11 of the Indian Constitution and Section 9 of the Citizenship Act of 1955 do not permit dual citizenship. For context, under the Citizenship Act of 1955, any Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires citizenship of another country ceases to be an Indian citizen. Consequently, such individuals' Indian passports become invalid, and they are required to surrender them. Kirti Vardhan Singh's response makes it clear that only Indian citizens can obtain passports. However, possessing a passport does not automatically confer Indian citizenship. Nevertheless, the government has not clarified whether any document issued by it serves as definitive proof of Indian citizenship.