New Delhi: All passports will be in English and Hindi languages from now on and not just English, External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj announces in Delhi.
This is among the host of changes that the government has introduced recently.
The new norms will reduce the paperwork and documentation required for several categories of applicants. The new norms have overridden the passport Rules, 1980, which says applicants born on or after January 26, 1989 have to submit birth certificates.
Now, Sadhus and sanyasis can now mention the names of their spiritual gurus instead of biological parents, while Separated or divorced applicants will not have to mention the name of her or his spouse in the application form either.
The new passport rules will also eliminate the mandatory requirement of the birth certificate as the proof of date of birth.
