New Delhi: Passport application fees have been reduced for applicants under the age of eight and over the age of 60, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj announced on Friday.
The minister further said that from now, all new passports issued will be in Hindi and in English and not just in English like before.
Swaraj announced these changes in a speech at an event to mark 50 years of the Passport Act, 1967.
One of the big changes announced in December was the removal of the mandatory requirement of the birth certificate as the proof of date of birth. In addition, the new rules said that separated or divorced applicants will not have to mention the name their former spouse in the application form.
As well, ‘sadhus’ and ‘sanyasis’ were allowed to mention the names of their spiritual gurus instead of their biological parents on their application forms.
It was decided last December that that all applicants can submit any one of the following documents – Matriculation Certificate, PAN card, Aadhaar Card or E-Aadhaar – that have the date of birth of the applicant. They can also provide a copy of the extract of their service record, driving licence.
