NEW DELHI: Sadhus and sanyasis can now mention names of their spiritual gurus instead of biological parents under new passport rules announced here today which also eliminate the mandatory requirement of the birth certificate as the proof of date of birth (DOB).
The rules, which were announced by Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh, also provides a provision for Government servants, who are not able to get “no objection certificate” from their respective ministries/departments.
In order to streamline, liberalise and ease the process of issue of passport, the ministry has taken a number of steps in the realm of passport policy which is expected to benefit the citizens of India applying for a passport, Singh noted.
In case of proof of DOB while filing application, it has now been decided that all applicants of passports can submit any one of the documents –transfer/School leaving/ Matriculation Certificate, PAN card, Aadhaar Card/E-Aadhaar having the DOB of applicant, copy of the extract of the service record of the applicant, driving licence, Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or LIC policy bond.
Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births & Deaths or the Municipal Corporation or any other prescribed authority whosoever has been empowered under the Registration of Birth & Deaths Act, 1969 to register the birth of a child born in India can also be given as DOB proof. (AGENCIES)