No Link Between SIR Data and Passport Processing, MEA Tells Rajya Sabha

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that neither it nor any agency under its administrative control has sought, received or used data collected during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls for processing passport applications or renewals. Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh gave a categorical "No" when asked whether SIR data had been accessed or used by the ministry or agencies under its control in connection with passport services.

The clarification comes amid questions over whether changes in electoral rolls could affect the citizenship status of existing passport holders or influence the issuance and renewal of passports. The government reiterated that the issuance of passports is governed by the Passports Act, 1967, and rules framed under it.

The MEA was also asked whether deletion of a person's name from an electoral roll, or similar administrative action under any other law, would by itself constitute grounds to question the citizenship of an existing passport holder or deny passport renewal. In response, Singh referred to the legal framework governing passport issuance, without indicating that electoral-roll deletion is independently used as a basis for passport processing.

On the wording used in Indian passports, Singh said passport booklets have progressively shifted to machine-readable, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)-compliant formats. Standardised text has been adopted in line with ICAO norms, with the term "nationality" incorporated into the passport booklet. The government was also questioned about India's global passport ranking. Singh said certain private institutions publish such ratings based on parameters decided by them, and there is no universally recognised global ranking system that can be treated as a standard.

The government said it continues efforts to expand travel facilities for Indian passport holders. Currently, 27 countries offer visa-free entry, 47 provide visa-on-arrival facilities and 66 offer e-Visa services to Indian citizens.

In separate responses, the MEA said 688 pilgrims participated in the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in 2025, while arrangements have been made for 1,000 yatris in 2026. The number of Indian sailors stranded aboard foreign vessels also rose from 56 in 2023 to 132 in 2024 and 329 in 2025.