| Indian passport | |
|---|---|
| The front cover of an Indian Passport (2025) | |
| Type | Passport |
| Issued by | |
| First issued | 1920 (first version) 2019 (Series 2019 Machine Readable Passport ) 2025 ( Biometric Passport ) |
| Purpose | Identification |
| Eligibility | Indian citizenship |
| Expiration | 10 years (Adult) 5 or 10 years (age 15 to 18) 5 years (Minor) |
| Cost | Adult (36 pages): ₹1,500 [1] Adult (60 pages): ₹2,000 [1] Minor (36 pages): ₹1,000 [1] Note: If the application for renewal of passport is made under the Tatkaal (expedited processing), the additional Tatkaal fee of ₹2,000 is to be paid in addition to the regular application fee. [1] |
An Indian passport is a passport issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India to Indian citizens for the purpose of international travel. It enables the bearer to travel internationally and serves as proof of the Republic of India citizenship as per the Passports Act (1967). The Passport Seva (Passport Service) unit of the Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs functions as the issuing authority and is responsible for issuing Indian passports on application to all eligible Indian citizens. Indian passports are issued at 97 passport offices located across India and at 197 Indian diplomatic missions abroad. [2]
As of 31 December 2023, 6.5 per cent (92,624,661) of Indian citizens possessed a valid passport, with Kerala having the highest number of passport holders of all Indian states. Previously, passports were not popular among the masses due to a time-consuming and complicated process and limited access to the passport facilitation centres located only in major cities. With the expansion of centres and technological improvements, accompanied by increased outsourcing of professionals and an expanding middle-class, the percentage is expected to go up. [3] [4]
British Indian passports were issued to British subjects of the British Indian Empire, as well as to British subjects from other parts of the British Empire, and subjects of the British protected states in India (i.e. British protected persons of the 'princely states'). [5] These passports were introduced in British India after the First World War. [6] The Indian Passport Act of 1920 required the use of passports, established controls on the foreign travel of Indians, and foreigners travelling to and within India. [7] The passport was based on the format agreed upon by the 1920 League of Nations International Conference on Passports. [8] However, the British Indian passport had very limited usage, being valid for travel only within the British Empire, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, France, Spain, Norway, Sweden and Holland. [9]
The use of the passport was discontinued after the establishment of the Dominion of India and Dominion of Pakistan in 1947, and its bearers were entitled to opt for Indian, Pakistani or British nationality.
Passport laws were made strict in both the countries in 1952. Initially, Indian passports were granted only to "respectable" people. A literacy test was required, and passports were denied to Communist Party of India members. [10] Only in 1967 did the Supreme Court rule that every citizen had the right to a passport. [11]
In addition, select passport offices in India, as well as overseas missions, were authorised to issue regular India-Bangladesh Passport to Indian nationals resident in West Bengal and the North-Eastern States; India-Sri Lanka Passport to Indian nationals resident in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry; and the India-Pakistan Passport to Indian nationals whose ancestral homes lay on the other side of the Radcliffe Line. These three passports respectively permitted travel to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan only and were not valid for travel to other foreign countries. Both India and Bangladesh stopped issuing the India-Bangladesh Passport in 2013 due to changes in ICAO regulations. [12] [13]
Tatkaal Passports (for urgent needs), [14] and Short Validity Passport (SVP) [15] are also available and these are likely considered Ordinary Passports once issued.
Biometric passports are known as ePassports in India. [16] An e-Passport is a combined paper and electronic passport with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip and an antenna embedded as an inlay of passport that contains the personal particulars and biometric information of the passport holder. [17] In April 2024, The Union Government finally started the test rollout of Biometric Passports to ordinary citizens. It started with the testing of the project at Regional Passport Offices (RPO) in Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Goa, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, Ranchi. In Tamil Nadu, the Regional Passport Office in Chennai started issuing e-passports on March 3, 2025. As of March 22, 2025, over 20,700 e-passports had been issued, receiving overall positive response. Since September 4th 2025, all Ordinary Passports issued have been ePassports from all Regional Passport Offices of India as well at Indian Embassies and Consulate worldwide due to the global launch of PSP 2.0
Following a successful pilot launch and requisite certifications, it was to be rolled out at remaining Regional Passport Offices across India in a phased manner by mid-2025.
The e-passport features a built-in antenna and an Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip, both embedded within the cover. This enables secure storage of the personal and biometric data of the passport holder. [18]
On the occasion of the 13th Passport Seva Divas, held in June 2025, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar commended the work of passport officials both within India and abroad. He highlighted their role in what he described as a “remarkable transformation” in passport service delivery over the past decade.
During the event, the Minister officially announced the nationwide implementation of e-passports, marking a significant advancement in the Indian passport infrastructure. He also unveiled updates under the Passport Seva Programme (PSP) Version 2.0, which introduces the use of advanced and emerging technologies aimed at improving efficiency, security, and transparency in the issuance and management of passports.
In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar reiterated the government’s commitment to citizen-centric governance and praised the dedication of passport personnel who contributed to modernizing the passport delivery system. [19]
PSP 2.0 website for NRI: https://mportal.passportindia.gov.in/mission/embassy
PSP 2.0 website for Indian Residents: https://services1.passportindia.gov.in/psp/
Early passports dating back to the British Empire were handwritten; in addition, more than a hundred thousand handwritten passports were issued between 1997 and 2000 with 20-year validity dates. These passports have been ruled invalid by the Indian government and holders must replace them with machine-readable versions with validity for 10 years due to ICAO regulations. [20]
Versions prior to 2021 had deep bluish cover with golden coloured printing. The Emblem of India emblazoned in the centre of the front cover. The words भारत गणराज्य in Devanagari and REPUBLIC OF INDIA were inscribed below the Emblem whereas पासपोर्ट in Devanagari and PASSPORT in English were inscribed above the emblem.
The latest version of 2021 has the official name of the country and "Passport" engravings' positions changed mutually. The passport has the passport number perforated. The pages have been re-designed.
The standard passport contains 36 pages, but frequent travellers can opt for a passport containing 60 pages. [21]
All passports contain a note in Hindi and English, nominally from the President of India, addressing the authorities of all countries and territories:
इसके द्वारा, भारत गणराज्य के राष्ट्रपति के नाम पर, उन सब से जिनका इस बात से सरोकार हो, यह प्रार्थना एवं अपेक्षा की जाती है कि वे वाहक को बिना रोक-टोक, स्वतंत्रतापूर्वक आने-जाने दें, और उसे हर प्रकार की ऐसी सहायता और सुरक्षा प्रदान करें जिसकी उसे आवश्यकता हो ।
भारत गणराज्य के राष्ट्रपति के आदेश से
These are to request and require in the Name of the President of the Republic of India all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford him or her, every assistance and protection of which he or she may stand in need.
- By order of the President of the Republic of India
The note bearing page is typically stamped and signed by the issuing authority (Passport Office) in the name of the President of India.
The text of Indian Passport is printed in Hindi and English, the two official languages of India. (As per article 343 of the Indian Constitution).
Holders of Emigration Check Required (ECR) type passports need a clearance called an Emigration Check from the Government of India's Protector of Emigrants when going to selected countries on a work visa. This is to prevent the exploitation of Indian workers (especially the unskilled and less-educated) when going abroad, particularly to Middle Eastern countries. ECR type passport holders travelling on a tourist visa do not need a clearance; this is known as an Emigration Check Suspension.
Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) status passports are granted to:
In accordance with a ruling by the Ministry of External Affairs, passports issued from 2007 onwards do not have the ECNR stamp affixed; instead, a blank page 2 of the passport is deemed to have been ECNR endorsed. As a result, only ECR stamps are now affixed to Indian passports. For passports issued before January 2007, no notation in the passport means ECR. For passports issued in or after January 2007, no notation in the passport means ECNR. If Emigration Check is Required, there will be an endorsement in the passport regarding ECR.
Since 25 November 2015, Indian passports that are handwritten or with an original date of expiry extending to 20 years have not been valid under ICAO travel regulations. [22] With more recent Indian passports the personal particulars of the passport holder, that were hitherto printed on the inner cover page, are printed on the second page of the document. Another added security feature in the newer non-handwritten passports is a ghost picture of the holder found on the right side of the second page. Apart from stymieing criminals from printing fake passports, recent changes also help prevent smudging of the document because of inkjet printers. [23] [24]
The price for a standard passport in India: [25]
Indian passports can also be issued outside India, for which fees vary by country.
Senior citizens and children below the age of 8 years get a 10% discount according to the official fee structure. [26]
In September 2007, the Indian Union Council of Ministers approved a new passport issuance system under the Passport Seva Project. As per the project, front-end activities of passport issuance, dispatch of passports, online linking with police, and Central Printing Unit for centralised printing of passports will be put in place. The new system is trying to be 'timely, transparent, more accessible and reliable manner' for passport issuance. The applicant has to apply for fresh/reissue of passport through the Passport Seva system at one of the 77 Passport offices known as "Passport Seva Kendra"s operating throughout the country.
India calls Biometric Passport as ePassport.
India initiated the first phase of biometric Biometric-passport for Diplomatic passport holders in India and abroad. The new passports have been designed locally by the Central Passport Organisation, the India Security Press and IIT Kanpur. In the first phase new passports will have a 64 KB chip carrying a photograph of the passport holder and in subsequent phases it will have fingerprints.
India initiated the first phase deployment of Biometric Passports in 2008, only to diplomatic passport holders. On 25 June 2008 Indian Passport Authority issued the first Biometric passport to Pratibha Patil, the then President of India. [27]
Since 2008, the Government had plans to issue e-passports to all of its citizens. The Government has authorised Indian Security Press to float a global three-stage tender for procurement of ICAO-compliant electronic contactless inlays along with its operating system, which is required for the manufacture of Biometric Passports. [28] The necessary procurement have been initiated by India Security Press, Nasik by calling for Global tender for the supply of electronic contactless inlays. [29]
During the 2022 Union budget of India speech, Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that Biometric Passports with embedded chip will be rolled out in 2022–23. The Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the digital passport will allow greater security for personal data as well as smoother immigration process. [30] [31]
In April 2024, The Government has finally started the test rollout of Biometric Passports to ordinary citizens. It started with the testing of the project at Regional Passport Offices (RPO) in Bhubaneswar and Nagpur. Post successful pilot launch and requisite certifications, it will be rolled out at remaining Regional Passport Offices across India in a phased manner in 2025. E-passports have started to be issued worldwide at embassies and consulates. [32] [33] [34]
Visa requirements for Indian citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of India.
As of January 2025 [update] , Henley Passport Index ranks Indian passport at 85th place, with visa-free or visa on arrival access to 57 nations and territories to Indian citizens. [35]
The Passport Index currently ranks the Indian passport at 69th place out of 199 [note 1] passports on global ranking with a mobility score of 75 (based on visa-free or visa on arrival access to nations or territories). [36]
As of 2025 Indian citizens have visa-free entry to 71 countries, visa on arrival facility to 56 countries and e-visa or ETA to 64 countries. [37] [38] [39] [40]
Indian citizens in possession of a valid United States Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) visa-free: Albania, Argentina, Bahamas, Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Uruguay, Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Kosovo, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Saba.
Indian citizens in possession of a valid United States Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) and gain a visa-on-arrival: Antigua and Barbuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia, Bahrain, Nicaragua, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
Indian citizens in possession of a valid United States Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) and gain a e-visa: Turkiye.
Indian Citizens in possession of a valid Canada Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) visa-free: Bahamas, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Uruguay, Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Kosovo, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Saba.
Indian citizens in possession of a valid Canada Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) and gain a visa-on-arrival: Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Belize, Oman, United Arab Emirates.
Indian citizens in possession of a valid UK Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) visa-free: Albania, Bahamas, Georgia, Ireland, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Serbia, Singapore, Uruguay, Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Gibraltar, Kosovo, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Saba.
Indian citizens in possession of a valid UK Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) and gain a visa-on-arrival: Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
Indian citizens in possession of a valid United Kingdom Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) and gain a e-visa: Turkiye.
Indian citizens in possession of a valid Multiple Entry Visa from EU Member States in their passport may enter the following country(ies) visa-free: Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Moldova, Panama, Serbia and Kosovo
Indian citizens in possession of a valid Multiple Entry Visa from EU Member States in their passport may enter the following country(ies) and gain a visa-on-arrival: Armenia, United Arab Emirates.
Indian citizens in possession of a valid EU Multiple Entry Visa in their passport may enter the following country(ies) and gain a e-visa: Turkiye.
Indian citizens are allowed to live, work, and study in Nepal under the provisions laid out by the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship as well in Bhutan.
According to the statistics these are the numbers of Indian visitors to various countries in 2017 (unless otherwise noted)