India
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MEA clarifies Indian passport is travel document not conclusive proof of citizenship
NDTV··25 Jun
NDTV reported officials stressed passports enable international travel and identity abroad during a briefing on reforms including five-day processing at many Passport Seva Kendras and nationwide rollout of ICAO-compliant chip-enabled e-passports since May last year.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Passports alone may not prove citizenship for benefits.
- E-passports are now standard for new issuances.
- Visa-free access covers 27 countries for Indians.
What's Happening
- MEA issued a citizenship clarification Wednesday.
- Passport processing can take as little as five days.
- 545 passport service centres now operate nationwide.
Mobility Reforms
- Chip-enabled e-passports rolled out since May 2025.
- 27 mobility agreements signed with 25 nations.
- Only 10 percent of Indians currently hold passports.
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