New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and should not be considered as definitive proof of Indian citizenship. The clarification was made by ministry officials during celebrations marking Passport Seva Divas, observed annually on June 24 to commemorate the enactment of the Passport Act, 1967.

Officials noted that while passports are issued only after extensive verification and due diligence involving multiple government agencies, the document itself serves as an international travel credential rather than a standalone certificate of citizenship.

Speaking to the media, MEA representatives highlighted the significant progress made in passport services over the years. Nearly 14 million passports were issued across the country in the past year alone through India's network of 545 Passport Seva Kendras.

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, praised the government's efforts in delivering efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric passport services. He emphasized that technological advancements have significantly improved the passport issuance process.

The ministry also showcased the success of India's e-passport initiative, under which approximately 14.7 million chip-based passports have been issued since its launch last year. The e-passports contain an embedded RFID chip and antenna that securely store personal and biometric information, making them more secure and difficult to forge.

According to officials, all newly issued passports are now chip-enabled, helping immigration authorities verify documents more quickly and reducing the risk of fraudulent passports. The enhanced security features also facilitate faster immigration clearance at international borders.

Officials pointed out that obtaining a passport in the 1980s often took between three and six months and required applicants to stand in long queues at limited passport offices. Today, the average processing time has been reduced to six working days, excluding police verification, which has also become considerably faster. On average, applicants spend less than 45 minutes at a Passport Seva Kendra.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs recently introduced reforms to streamline services related to the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme. Authorities reiterated that while OCI cardholders enjoy lifelong multiple-entry visas and several other benefits, OCI status does not confer full Indian citizenship or political rights.

The government said the continued modernization of passport and OCI services reflects its commitment to improving public service delivery while maintaining robust security and verification standards.