Archive · 12 Aug 2026
MEA lacks consolidated data on passports issued to non-citizens
A reporter asked the Indian government a question: 'How many people who are not Indian citizens have been given an Indian passport?'
The government office called the Ministry of External Affairs answered: 'We do not keep that list.'
There is a rule in the Passport Act that lets the government give a passport to someone who is not a citizen if it helps the public.
So it is possible for a non-citizen to hold an Indian passport.
The government does keep other passport numbers, like how many were given in each state or to men and women.
But it says there is no single record of non-citizens getting passports.
The government also told people that an Indian passport is only a travel document, not a final proof of being a citizen.
That surprised some people because in 2016 the government said it checks citizenship before giving a passport.
Back then, it also said that non-citizens who get an Indian passport could have it taken away and face legal action.
Many people are now talking about why the government's answer seems different from before.
The Ministry of External Affairs told an RTI applicant it does not maintain consolidated data on passports issued to non-citizens of India.
The RTI query sought figures on passports issued under Section 20 of the Passport Act, which allows passports for non-citizens in the public interest.
The first appellate authority also declined to provide the figures, saying the MEA does not maintain the requested statistical information.
The MEA has said an Indian passport is a travel document and not conclusive proof of citizenship, sparking public debate.
A 2016 parliamentary reply said citizenship is confirmed before an Indian passport is issued, a position observers see as differing from the current stance.
- Who
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India, responding to an RTI applicant and the first appellate authority.
- What
- The MEA said it does not maintain consolidated data on the number of passports issued to non-citizens under Section 20 of the Passport Act.
- When
- The RTI response came after June 24, when an MEA official spoke at the 14th Passport Seva Diwas; the article also references parliamentary replies from February 8, 2024 and March 10, 2016.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The RTI application sought the figures, and the MEA says such statistical information is not maintained in a compiled or consolidated form.
Earlier stance (2016)
Current MEA stance (2024)
Passport as proof of citizenship
Earlier stance (2016)
In a March 10, 2016 parliamentary reply, the government said Indian passports are issued to Indian citizens after confirming the applicant's identity including citizenship, and that foreign nationals obtaining Indian passports face revocation and criminal proceedings.
Current MEA stance (2024)
The MEA now says an Indian passport is a travel document and not conclusive proof of citizenship, noting Section 20 of the Passport Act expressly allows issuing passports to non-citizens in the public interest.
- Respondent
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- Query
- Number of passports issued to non-citizens under Section 20 of the Passport Act
- MEA Response
- Data not maintained in compiled or consolidated form
- Legal Provision
- Section 20, Passport Act, 1967
- Key Position
- Indian passport is a travel document, not conclusive proof of citizenship
- Statement Date
- June 24, 14th Passport Seva Diwas
- 2016 Position
- Citizenship verified before passport issuance (March 10, 2016 parliamentary reply)
- Other Passport Data Available
- State-wise and gender-wise figures (February 8, 2024 parliamentary reply)