New Passport Rules in India (2025): Date of Birth Proof & Document Updates
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a fresh notification introducing crucial changes to the Passport Rules in 2025, especially affecting proof of date of birth requirements for applicants. These changes are in effect from 28 February 2025, following the Gazette Notification dated 24 February 2025, under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2025.
🛂 Updated: April 2025 | For International Students & Indian Nationals
👉 These updates aim to simplify and standardize the passport issuance process, making it more transparent and efficient for applicants, including students abroad and NRIs returning to India.
🔑 Key Highlights of the 2025 Passport Rule Changes
  New mandatory document rules based on date of birth.
  Separate proof requirements for those born before and after 1st October 2023.
  Several previously accepted documents may no longer be valid for some applicants.
👶 For Individuals Born On or After 1st October 2023
To apply for an Indian passport, only ONE document will be accepted as proof of date of birth:
âś… Acceptable Document:
  Birth Certificate issued by:
    Registrar of Births and Deaths
    Municipal Corporation
    Any other authority under the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969
đź“Ś No other documents, including Aadhaar or school certificates, will be accepted for this age group.
This move ensures uniformity and authenticity in the documentation process for newer generations.
👵 For Individuals Born Before 1st October 2023
Applicants born prior to this date still have multiple options for proving their date of birth while applying for a passport. Acceptable documents include:
âś… Accepted Proofs of Date of Birth:
  Birth Certificate issued by recognized authorities under the 1969 Act.
  School Leaving/Transfer/Matriculation Certificate from a recognized board or school.
  PAN Card (if it contains full date of birth).
  Service Record or Pension Order (for government employees or pensioners).
  Driving License (with full DOB in DD/MM/YYYY format).
  Voter ID (EPIC) with complete date of birth.
  Life Insurance Policy document (issued by LIC or public sector insurers) mentioning date of birth.
đź’ˇ Important Note: Only documents that explicitly mention the complete date of birth (DD/MM/YYYY) will be accepted. Documents with only year or month-year formats will be rejected.
🎯 Why This Update Matters for International Students & NRIs
  Students studying abroad often need passport renewals or reissuance — these rule changes could impact document preparation.
  Applicants applying from outside India must ensure that the correct format of DOB proof is available and valid.
  Parents of newborns abroad must register births in India if they want to apply for passports, especially for children born after Oct 2023.
🌍 Planning to Apply for or Renew Your Indian Passport in 2025?
Make sure your documents are updated as per the latest MEA regulations. This is especially crucial if you’re:
  An international student planning to visit India.
  A working professional applying for a passport reissue.
  A parent registering a child’s birth abroad.
At EDUXskills, we help international students and Indian expats navigate administrative formalities, including passport documentation, visa, and residency paperwork in France and beyond.
