Indian
passports are issued to citizens of India for the purpose of
international travel. They act as proof of Indian nationality. The Consular Passport & Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs,
functioning as the central passport organisation, is responsible for
issuance of Indian passports to all eligible Indian citizens. Passports
are issued from 37 locations across the country and 162 Indian missions
abroad.
Types of passports
Regular passport (Deep Blue/Black cover) – Issued for ordinary travel, such as vacations and business trips (36 or 60 pages)
Diplomatic passport (Maroon cover) – Issued to Indian diplomats, top ranking government officials and diplomatic couriers.
Official passport (White cover) – Issued to individuals representing the Indian government on official business
Diplomatic passport (Maroon cover) – Issued to Indian diplomats, top ranking government officials and diplomatic couriers.
Official passport (White cover) – Issued to individuals representing the Indian government on official business
Physical appearance
Indian passports have a deep blue/black
cover, with the Emblem of India emblazoned in the center of the front
cover. The words Hindi: ‘पासपोर्ट’ and English: ‘Passport’ inscribed
above the Emblem and Hindi: ‘भारत गणराज्य’ and English: ‘Republic of
India’ inscribed below the emblem.
Passport holder identity
Indian passports have identity
information printed on both front and back cover ends. Both of these
pages are laminated to prevent modification.
The opening cover end contains the following information:
Photo of Passport Holder
Signature of the passport holder
Type (P)- Stands for “Personal”
Country code (IND)
Passport number
Surname
Given names
Nationality (Indian)
Sex
Date of Birth
Place of birth
Place of issue
Date of issue
Date of expiry
Photo of Passport Holder
Signature of the passport holder
Type (P)- Stands for “Personal”
Country code (IND)
Passport number
Surname
Given names
Nationality (Indian)
Sex
Date of Birth
Place of birth
Place of issue
Date of issue
Date of expiry
The information page ends with the Machine Readable Passport Zone.
The closing end contains the following information:
Name of father/legal guardian
Name of mother
Name of spouse
Address
Old passport no. with date and place of issue
File no.
Name of father/legal guardian
Name of mother
Name of spouse
Address
Old passport no. with date and place of issue
File no.
Languages
The textual portions of Indian passport are printed in both Hindi and English.
