What happened
The External Affairs Ministry clarified that an Indian passport is a document used to regulate the departure of Indian citizens from the country. The ministry also said that passports are issued after verification under the Passports Act, 1967 and the Passports Rules, 1980.
The clarification followed comments by a government official who had described the passport as only a travel document and not a citizenship document. The ministry noted that fewer than 8% of Indian citizens currently hold passports.
Background and earlier position
Indian passports are regulated by statute and subordinate rules. The legal framework allows the government to examine applications and issue passports after verification, which is why the passport is a state-issued travel document rather than a stand-alone citizenship certificate.
Why it matters for UPSC
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