The Ministry of External Affairs announced Tuesday a major shift in passport rules to speed up service delivery. The new framework, set to launch February 15, moves most paper tasks to digital systems. Officials say the goal is to cut fraud while making the process faster for citizens in rural areas.
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Digital Police Checks Slashed to Days
Meanwhile, the government overhauled the police verification stage, which was often the slowest part of the process. The new system uses a digital link between the passport office and local police stations. This change allows background checks to finish in just three to five days, down from the previous average of 21 days, Ministry data showed.
In fact, some low-risk applicants will now get their passports before the physical check occurs. Still, security protocols remain strict for first-time adult applicants. “We are using online data-sharing to maintain safety while cutting wait times,” a senior official told reporters Thursday.
New Document Rules for 2026
Since the 2026 rules focus on ease of use, Aadhaar cards are now the primary proof for both identity and address. The government also cut the total number of required certificates for most categories. Applicants must upload all files to the updated portal before booking a slot.
Then, the system will run an automated check for errors. Yet the portal will now strictly reject any file that is not clear or complete. “Accuracy at the start will prevent delays later in the chain,” said an analyst at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in Delhi.
Minors and Rural Access
Now, the rules for children under 18 have also changed to simplify their applications. The Ministry will accept digital birth certificates and school ID cards as valid proof. This move aims to help students who need travel papers for school trips or exams.
Additionally, the government plans to open 45 new small-town centres by the end of the year. This expansion targets rural districts where people previously traveled over 100 kilometres to reach a PSK. In fact, internal memos show the Ministry wants a passport centre in every Lok Sabha seat by 2027.
Data Density: The 2026 Passport Benchmarks
The updated guidelines detailed several specific metrics for the new system:
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Feb 15: The exact date the new digital rules take effect nationwide.
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3-5 Days: The new target window for completing digital police checks.
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45: The number of new rural passport centres planned for 2026.
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100: The distance in kilometres some rural users will save under the new plan.
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21 Days: The old average wait time for police clearance that the new rules aim to end.
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10%: The expected rise in total applications due to easier rural access.
What’s Next The Ministry will launch the final version of the updated portal on February 14. Applicants then have until the next day to clear any old files from the system. Industry groups expect a surge in bookings once the new rules go live on Sunday, officials said.
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