The Centre has once again clarified that an Indian passport is not a conclusive proof of citizenship, stressing that it is issued primarily as a travel document for international travel under the provisions of the Passport Act, 1967. The clarification comes amid continuing political debate over the documents that can be used to establish citizenship during official verification processes.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said passports are issued to Indian citizens after a rigorous verification process in accordance with the Passport Act, 1967, and the Passport Rules, 1980. However, he emphasized that the purpose of a passport is to facilitate international travel rather than serve as definitive legal proof of citizenship in every circumstance.

The government also highlighted that fewer than 8 per cent of India's population currently possesses a passport, underlining that the document is not universally held by Indian citizens.

The clarification follows a similar statement made by the MEA on June 24, during Passport Seva Divas, when the ministry first publicly stated that a passport should be viewed as a travel document rather than definitive evidence of citizenship. The issue gained attention after questions were raised regarding whether passports could be accepted as proof of citizenship during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The ministry has also referred to a 2013 Bombay High Court judgment, which held that while a passport indicates nationality, it cannot by itself be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship. Officials further noted that, under exceptional circumstances and in the public interest, the Central Government has the authority under the Passport Act to issue a passport even to a non-Indian citizen, reinforcing the distinction between a passport and legal citizenship.

The latest clarification has drawn criticism from the Congress party. Congress leaders Supriya Shrinate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal questioned the government's position, asking on what basis passports are issued if they cannot be considered proof of citizenship. The party also alleged that the government was creating ambiguity over citizenship documentation for political reasons.

Legal experts point out that India does not issue a single universal document that serves as absolute proof of citizenship for every citizen. Instead, citizenship is determined under the Citizenship Act, 1955, based on the manner in which it was acquired and supported by relevant official records.

The government also reiterated the distinction between nationality and citizenship. While a passport identifies a person's nationality and enables international travel, citizenship defines an individual's legal rights, constitutional protections and obligations within India.

Officials clarified that documents such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN Card and Driving Licence are issued for specific administrative purposes and therefore cannot independently establish citizenship. Aadhaar, for instance, serves as proof of identity and residence, while a voter identity card is issued for electoral purposes.

The ministry further explained that cancellation or suspension of a passport does not automatically result in the loss of Indian citizenship. Passports may be cancelled due to reasons such as furnishing false information, violations under the Passport Act, legal proceedings or national security concerns. Termination of citizenship, however, follows a separate legal process governed by the Citizenship Act.

The government also highlighted improvements in passport services over the past decade. According to the MEA, the number of Passport Seva Kendras and related service centres has increased from 77 to 545, while the rollout of chip-based e-passports since 2025 has resulted in the issuance of 1.47 crore e-passports. Average passport processing time has been reduced to five to six days, and the number of countries offering visa-free entry to Indian passport holders has increased from 16 in 2019 to 27.

The clarification comes at a time when questions surrounding citizenship documentation continue to remain part of wider legal and political discussions, with the Centre maintaining that citizenship must be determined under the provisions of the Citizenship Act rather than through any single identity or travel document.