The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has rolled out a series of significant updates impacting both citizens and international travelers, most notably clarifying that a passport serves strictly as a travel document rather than definitive proof of citizenship. Alongside this, the government has implemented its first passport fee hike in 14 years, effective from July 1. These price adjustments cover a wide range of services, including standard and Tatkaal issuance for both 36-page and 60-page booklets, as well as higher costs for replacing lost or damaged documents and issuing passports for minors.

Beyond passport changes, India has introduced new health and immigration protocols for international visitors. Travelers arriving in the country are now required to use the "Air Suvidha 2.0" portal to complete a mandatory health self-declaration form within 24 hours of their departure, an initiative prompted by recent health concerns like the Ebola outbreak. Additionally, immigration regulations for foreign nationals have been tightened; those planning an extended stay must now register their presence within 180 days of arrival. New mandates also require parents to report any change in their child's citizenship status to the Registration Officer within 30 days, ensuring stricter oversight of residency and nationality records.