Explainer | Why An Indian Passport Isn't Conclusive Proof Of Citizenship: Here's What The Law Says

Can an Indian passport alone prove that you are an Indian citizen? The Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that while a passport establishes nationality for international travel, it is not conclusive proof of citizenship under Indian law. Here's an explainer on what the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Passports Act actually say, why documents like Aadhaar, PAN and Voter ID also have legal limitations, and how Indian citizenship is determined through a combination of official records rather than a single document. We also examine whether India should consider introducing one universal citizenship document.