Indian passport does not serve as automatic proof of citizenship
The Indian government has clarified that holding a passport is not sufficient evidence to prove an individual's citizenship status. This distinction between travel documents and legal nationality has been established in the country’s law for decades.
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The Indian government has clarified that holding an official passport does not serve as definitive evidence of citizenship. According to reports from News18, this distinction between travel documents and legal status has been part of the country’s legal framework for several decades.
Under Section 20 of the Passports Act, the Central Government has the authority to issue passports or other travel documents to individuals who are not Indian citizens. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified these regulations through a series of frequently asked questions, noting that citizenship is governed by the Citizenship Act rather than by any single document.
Reporting from Livemint and the Times of India indicates that the government has not identified any specific document as absolute proof of nationality. While a passport facilitates international travel, it does not automatically confirm a person's status under national law. The Ministry’s response identifies the Citizenship Act as the primary legal basis for determining citizenship rather than individual documents such as passports.