Different Types of Passports in India | Types Of Indian Passports Every Traveller Should Know Of!

With globalisation and the increase in tourism, people have been travelling across the world. Even Indians are spending and giving time on vacations abroad.

But the foremost document required when you want to travel abroad is a passport. But have you ever thought about the Different Types of Passports in India?

These types of passports help immigration officials and other authorities abroad to distinguish between common Indians and government officials of India with high holding ranks.

Now that the centre has proposed for orange passport, we realise that other passports are stronger. Some passport requires no visa, faster immigration, etc.

Here we have got all the details of the types of passports in India along with the history of Indian passports.

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History of Indian Passport

In 1920, after the First World War, British Indian passports were introduced. As per the Indian Passport Act of 1920, passports were introduced to monitor and control the foreign travel of Indians, as well as foreigners, travel to India. British India Passport was issued to the British subjects of the British India Empire.

It was also issued to British subjects from other parts of the British Empire and subjects of British-protected states in India, i.e. British-protected persons of “Princely States”. The passport format then was based on the format agreed upon by the 1920 League of Nations International Conference on Passports.

The British India passport allowed travel only within the British Empire such as Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, France, Spain, Norway, Sweden and Holland.

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Passport Issuing Authority

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issues Indian passports to the citizens of India. The passport gives a right to travel internationally. As per the Passport Act (1967), the passport serves as proof of Indian citizenship.

The Passport Seva of the Passport Services unit of the Consular, Passport and Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs functions as the central passport organisation.

It is also responsible for issuing Indian passports on demand to all eligible Indian citizens. India has almost 93 passport offices located at various locations and 197 Indian diplomatic missions abroad. As per data, India issued 12 million passports, which is the third-highest after China and the United States.

It is said that by the end of 2015, almost 65 million Indians held a valid passport.

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Physical Appearance of Indian Passport

The passport has an emblem in the centre on the front cover. “भारत गणराज्य” in Devanagari script and “Republic of India” is embossed below the emblem. “पासपोर्ट” in Devanagari and “Passport” in English is inscribed above the emblem. The standard passport has 36 pages.

If you are a frequent traveller, then you can opt for a passport with 60 pages. Passports issued between 1997 and 2000 came with a validity of 20 years and were handwritten. However, now these passports have been considered invalid by the Indian government.

The holders must replace them with machine-readable versions, good for 10 years because of ICAO regulations.

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Languages of Passport

The text of the Indian Passport is printed in both Hindi and English, the two official languages of India.

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Different Types of Passports in India

Indian Government Issue three different types of passports. The details are as below.

1. Ordinary Passport

 An ordinary passport is navy blue and is issued for ordinary travel or business trips.

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2. Diplomatic Passport

The cover of a diplomatic passport is maroon in colour. It is issued only to Indian diplomats, diplomatic couriers, or top-ranking government officials.

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3. Official Passport

Apart from the navy blue and maroon passports, the Indian government also issues a white-cover passport to individuals who are representing the Indian government on official business.

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Tatkaal and SVP

Tatkaal Passports (for urgent needs), and Short Validity Passports (SVP) are also available. These are generally considered Ordinary Passports once issued.

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ECR AND ECNR Passports

The Passport Authority of India issues two types of passports: viz ECR and Non-ECR (formerly called ECNR). Depending on your status such as education, age, and marital status, you would be classified as ECR or non-ECR category from your passport application standpoint. ECR stands for Emigration Check Required.  

If you have not passed 10th grade/class (Matriculation or higher education pass certificate) then your passport will fall under the ECR Category. Non-ECR, formerly known as ECNR, means Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR).

If you have passed the 10th class/grade (Matriculation or Higher Educational Pass Certificate) or have a higher degree, then your passport falls under the Non-ECR Category.

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Colours of Passport

1. Blue Passport

Blue-coloured passports are issued to the general population of India. The colour is used for easy identification among other passports with official status.

This helps the customs and immigration officials and other authorities abroad distinguish between the common man and government officials of India holding high ranks.

Generally, navy blue, such passports are issued for ordinary travel such as business trips or vacations. Regular passports carry the name, date of birth, and a photograph of the holder.

Additionally, it includes various other identification proofs for immigration checks.

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2. White Passport

Of the different types of passports, the white passport is the most powerful one. Government officials are the eligible recipients of white passports.

It is issued to persons travelling abroad for official work. The white passport makes it easy for customs and immigration officials to identify the holder as a government official and give due treatment.

White passports are issued to individuals representing the Indian government in official business. The application process for an official passport is different from that of a regular blue passport.

While passport holders also get some special powers in addition to the regular rules and regulations.

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3. Maroon Passport

A maroon passport is issued to Indian diplomats and senior government officials. For a high-quality passport, a separate application has to be filed.

Such passport holders become eligible for several benefits during foreign tours. In addition, they do not need a visa to fly abroad.

Also, maroon passport holders can clear immigration formalities much faster than regular people. A diplomatic passport is issued to Indian diplomats, top-ranking government officials, and diplomatic couriers.

Officials like IPS (Indian Police Service), and IAS (Indian Administrative Services) can apply for diplomatic passports.

Applications for such passports are given a distinctive treatment, and immigration is easier compared to the general applicants. It is difficult to take any legal action against diplomatic passport holders travelling abroad.

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4. Orange Passport

If the internet sources are to be believed, the Government is also planning to launch the Orange colour passport. Orange passports will be issued to a section of the population who haven’t studied beyond class 10^th. Such passport holders will be put under the ECR (Immigration Check Required) category whenever willing to travel abroad.

However, this information is just alleged, and no official announcement has been made on the same by the Passport Issuing Authority in India.

Nowadays Passport has become an essential document. We hope this article gives you clarity about passports, their types and colours as issued by the Indian Government.

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Types of Passport in India: FAQ

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