The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially clarified that the Indian passport is fundamentally a document designed to "regulate the departure" of citizens from the country, as stipulated under the Passports Act of 1967. This statement, delivered by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, comes in response to growing criticism from opposition parties who challenged previous government remarks suggesting that a passport is merely a travel document rather than proof of citizenship. By emphasizing that the issuance process involves rigorous verification and is strictly granted to Indian citizens, the government aims to quiet concerns regarding the potential denial of citizenship rights to those with dissenting political views.

Despite the controversy, official data suggests that passport ownership remains relatively exclusive, with less than eight percent of the total Indian population holding one. Regional trends vary significantly, with Kerala leading the nation in passport holders despite its smaller population compared to states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. While the government maintains that no new policy shifts have occurred in the last dozen years, the debate highlights the complexity of bureaucratic documentation, especially considering that passports are one of many accepted forms of identification used by citizens to register for electoral rolls.