Is Your Passport Enough? Government Clarifies Its Role in Proving Citizenship

The Indian government has clarified that a passport does not serve as proof of citizenship, a statement that has reignited discussions among political leaders and the public. TMC leader Mahua Moitra and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal have voiced their concerns over this clarification, questioning the implications for citizens. The Passport Act of 1967 allows for passports to be issued to non-citizens, and the Supreme Court has previously noted that Aadhaar is not definitive proof of citizenship. This ongoing debate raises critical questions about the documentation required to establish citizenship in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 25, 2026, 19:23 IST

Clarification on Passport's Role

New Delhi: Recent statements from government sources have reiterated that a passport has never served as proof of citizenship, and no new policy has been established regarding this matter in the past twelve years.

Following media reports about the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarifying that a passport is strictly a travel document, sources emphasized that this clarification was not a new decision.

The Passport Act of 1967 allows for the issuance of passports to non-citizens, according to the sources.

"The assertion that a passport is not a proof of citizenship was not made yesterday, nor has it been established in the last twelve years. A passport has never been a proof of citizenship," a source stated.

Media reports citing MEA officials indicated that passports are travel documents and do not establish citizenship.

TMC leader Mahua Moitra criticized the government, suggesting that the only acceptable proof of Indian citizenship is being both Hindu and a BJP supporter.

Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal also expressed his concerns, questioning what document could then serve as proof of citizenship, highlighting potential issues with the electoral process.

Lyricist Javed Akhtar labeled the MEA's clarification as "absurd," questioning the logic behind issuing travel documents without confirming the individual's citizenship.

Official sources pointed out that a 2013 ruling by the Bombay High Court clarified that passports do not serve as proof of citizenship.

During discussions regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, the Supreme Court noted that Aadhaar is not definitive proof of citizenship but merely an identity document.

On December 20, 2019, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) released a detailed FAQ regarding the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), stating that citizenship can be proven through documents related to birth dates and places, although acceptable documents have yet to be determined.

The PIB also mentioned that citizenship is governed by The Citizenship Rules, 2009, which are based on the Citizenship Act of 1955, outlining five pathways to Indian citizenship: by birth, descent, registration, naturalization, and incorporation.