कृपया इसे हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें
Summary
In India, passports come in several colour-coded types—Ordinary (navy blue), Official (white), Diplomatic (maroon), Emergency Certificate (grey), and Immigration (orange)—each serving a distinct purpose and eligibility group. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is widely rumoured to hold a maroon diplomatic passport as a mark of honour for his global contributions, although there is no direct confirmation from his team. According to the Henley Passport Index 2025, the Indian passport ranks 85th worldwide, granting visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to 57 destinations, while the Nomad Capitalist Passport Index 2025 places it at 148th based on a broader set of factors. Since 2024, India has begun rolling out e‑passports with embedded biometric chips to enhance security and ease of travel. This article unpacks the types, history, processes, and global power surrounding Indian passports in simple language.
Types of Passports in India
Ordinary Passport (Navy Blue)
Ordinary passports, known as Type P, are issued to any Indian citizen for private travel such as tourism, study, and business trips. They are valid for 10 years (for adults) or 5 years (for minors) and come in 36‑ or 60‑page booklets based on travel needs. Since early 2024, all newly issued Ordinary passports are e‑passports with an embedded data chip for biometric security.
Official Passport (White)
Official passports, Type S, are white‑covered booklets granted to government employees (including armed forces personnel) travelling abroad on official duty. These passports often carry exemptions on certain fees and expedited services at immigration checkpoints.
Diplomatic Passport (Maroon)
Diplomatic passports, Type D, feature a maroon cover and are issued to Indian diplomats, Members of Parliament, Union Council of Ministers, and other high‑ranking officials. Holders enjoy visa waivers or fast‑track clearances in many countries. On request, senior state‑level officials may also receive this passport for official travel.
Emergency Certificate (Grey) & Immigration Passport (Orange)
Emergency Certificates (grey) are temporary documents issued when a regular passport is lost or stolen abroad, enabling return to India. Immigration passports (orange), introduced in 2018, cater to lower‑education‑qualifying emigrants who require clearance under India’s Emigration Check Required (ECR) category.
Shah Rukh Khan and the Maroon Passport
Shah Rukh Khan, often called the “King Khan” of Bollywood, travels extensively and has a golden UAE visa, but whether he holds a diplomatic passport remains unverified. Rumours suggest the Government of India may grant such passports to cultural ambassadors in recognition of their contributions abroad. Despite the prestige, SRK has faced routine security checks in the United States.
Indian Passport Power: Global Rankings
Henley Passport Index 2025
The Henley Passport Index, based on IATA data, ranks 199 passports by visa‑free access to 227 destinations. As of January 2025, the Indian passport stands at 85th, down from 80th in 2024, providing visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to 57 countries.
Nomad Capitalist Passport Index 2025
The Nomad Capitalist Index ranks 199 passports on visa access, taxation policy, global perception, dual citizenship, and freedom. India slipped slightly to 148th, reflecting challenges in travel freedom and policy restrictions.
Visa Requirements Overview
As of 2025, Indian citizens enjoy visa‑free entry to 26 countries, visa‑on‑arrival in 46, and e‑Travel Authorization (ETA) in 3, totaling 57 visa‑accessible destinations.
Historical and Ground-Level Details
- Origins: The first Indian passports were issued in the British colonial era as “Indian Protectorate Certificates”.
- Modernization: Machine‑readable passports began in 2008; e‑passports pilot launched in 2024 from Nagpur and Bhubaneswar, with nationwide rollout planned through 2025.
- Application Process: Applicants use the online Passport Seva portal, pay fees ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹4,000 (normal/Tatkaal), submit documents, and attend a police verification interview.
- Special Regimes: Earlier, India issued India‑Bangladesh, India‑Sri Lanka, and India‑Pakistan passports valid only for those respective nations; these special passports were discontinued by 2013 due to ICAO rules.
Leave a Reply