At the briefing, officials reportedly stressed that while passports are issued to Indian citizens, the document's primary purpose is to enable international travel and establish identity abroad and not to be treated as proof of citizenship.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that an Indian passport is just a travel document and should not be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship.The clarification came on 24 June during briefing on India's expanding passport and mobility ecosystem as India marked the 14th Passport Seva Divas.The ministry highlighted measures incorporated into new chip-based e-passports, such as biometric data, to boost global acceptance and reduce the risk of fraud.At the briefing, officials reportedly stressed that while passports are issued to Indian citizens, the document's primary purpose is to enable international travel and establish identity abroad and not to be treated as proof of citizenship. The clarification comes when questions have already been raised about other documents, such as Aadhaar and Voter ID cards, as proof of citizenship.It also comes amid recent controversies over electoral roll revisions and citizenship verification exercises. Under these circumstances, the question arises is if even a passport does not conclusively prove citizenship, what document does for Indians?Quick answers to key questions•5 QUESTIONSThe Ministry of External Affairs has clarified that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and should not be considered conclusive proof of Indian citizenship.The most definitive documents to prove Indian citizenship are the Certificate of Naturalisation or Certificate of Registration, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Citizenship Act, 1955.No, Aadhaar is a proof of identity and residence, while Voter ID and PAN cards are not considered conclusive proof of citizenship according to recent clarifications from the government.The absence of a universally recognized document for citizenship raises challenges in verifying citizenship, especially during disputes or legal proceedings related to citizenship claims.A birth certificate can serve as proof of citizenship depending on the year of birth: for those born before 1987 it is absolute proof, while for later dates, it requires additional proof of at least one parent's citizenship.The Passports Act, 1967, the law governing passports, basically says that passports are issued to Indian citizens.Under Section 5 of the Act, a passport authority may issue a passport only after considering the application and making such inquiry as it deems necessary. Section 6(2)(a) requires the authority to refuse a passport if the applicant is not a citizen of India. So as per the Passports Act, a passport is issued by the authority to an applicant who is an Indian citizen.Yet, the government has not identified passport or any other specific document that can serve as proof of citizenship.What about Aadhaar, PAN and Voter ID cards?Regarding Aadhaar cards, the Unique Identification Authority of India clarifies that Aadhaar is strictly a proof of identity and residence, not citizenship.Election Commission’s Voter ID card carries proof of citizenship because the Representation of the People Act that governs in requires only citizens to be registered as voters. In fact, the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise by the Election Commission suggested that the Voter ID is proof of citizenship. But since the Supreme Court clarified that exclusion from voter lists doesn’t mean the end of citizenship, a Voter ID card is certainly not proof of citizenship.PAN card, land and bank documents do not prove one's Indian citizenship, the Gauhati High Court said in 2020 while dismissing a woman's plea against a tribunal order that rejected her citizenship claim.However, during legal disputes or proceedings before citizenship tribunals, the judiciary refers to ancestral land deeds and certified entries in local government registers dating back several years to establish citizenship by descent.Which document defines citizenship then?Unlike many countries, Indian citizens are not issued a universally recognised citizenship certificate.In fact, Indian citizen
A viral post about the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has resonated with social media users. Reflecting on a conversation with a friend studying at IIT Guwahati, he argued that what truly sets IITs apart is not academics alone, but the powerful network, mentorship and community.New Delhi: A view of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi campus, in New Delhi, Thursday, June 18, 2026. IIT Delhi has emerged as India's highest-ranked institution in the QS World University Rankings 2027, securing the 118th position globally. (PTI Photo)(PTI06_18_2026_000117B)(PTI)What makes the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) stand out? Is it the rigorous academics, renowned professors or highly competitive entrance exams?According to a 19-year-old social media user, the answer may lie elsewhere.A post shared by Anurag Jha on X has sparked discussion online after he reflected on a conversation with a friend studying at IIT Guwahati. The post suggests that the true strength of IITs goes beyond classrooms and coursework, and instead comes from the ecosystem of seniors, alumni and peers that helps students navigate their careers and personal development.A Conversation That Changed His PerspectiveIn his post, Jha recalled what his friend told him about life at IIT Guwahati and the support system available to students."My friend who's in IIT Guwahati told that in the IIT culture, the seniors even the alumni who are doing good in life will meet (online /offline) and gives you mentorship and strong recommendations to resources and roadmap. And will even reffer you to good startups," Jha wrote.According to the student, the IIT experience involves regular interactions with seniors and alumni who provide guidance on career planning, recommend learning resources and, in some cases, help students find opportunities through referrals.'It's Network And A Great Community'Reflecting on the conversation, Jha said it changed the way he viewed IITs."So it made me realise that it's not the course, professors or academics which make iit ,THE IIT but it's network and a great community," he wrote.The teenager also spoke about the transformation he had witnessed in his friend since their school days."He was just a nerd in school days but now he's so good in communication, programing, DSA, Development and in sports that it Amaze me is it the same guy who used to play Bingo with me and had only 2 friends," he said.His comments struck a chord with many users who argued that peer groups and professional networks often play a significant role in shaping career outcomes.Social Media Weighs InThe post soon attracted reactions from users who shared their own views on the value of alumni networks and communities within premier institutions.One user wrote, "Many premier institutes are not just institutes. They are networks. Very few people understand that. But more over, even in IIT, not every one uses those network. It's very few who gets to top."Another commented, "Exactly, it makes it IIT because how well connect they are."A third user echoed a similar sentiment, writing, "It's not about place it's always the people."Others pointed to the role of competition and peer influence in helping students improve."its the peer pressure due to competition which make their average better than best of ours," one comment read.Another user highlighted the value of senior guidance, writing, “Yes goat, networking with seniors will teach you a lot of thing.”Beyond AcademicsThe discussion reflects a broader debate about what makes elite educational institutions valuable. While IITs are known for their academic standards and highly selective admissions process, many students and alumni have often highlighted the importance of the relationships, mentorship opportunities and professional networks that develop during their time on campus.Jha's post has resonated with many because it shifts the focus away from textbooks and lectures and towards something less tangible but equall
In the clip, the tourist is seen walking along a street in Kolkata when a young man sitting in a rickshaw approaches him and repeatedly says, ‘Kiss me here, kiss me.’Screengrab from the viral video. An Australian tourist’s video from India has triggered strong reactions online after he filmed an uncomfortable encounter in Kolkata, where a young man repeatedly asked him for a kiss and held his hand despite being turned down.What does the viral video show?The video was shared on Instagram by a user identified as Marco Roams. In the clip, the tourist is seen walking along a street in Kolkata when a young man sitting in a rickshaw approaches him and repeatedly says, “Kiss me here, kiss me.”The tourist appears visibly uneasy and attempts to handle the situation calmly. “Kiss you? No sorry, I’m straight,” he replies. Despite the refusal, the man continues to insist and is seen holding the tourist’s hand as he tries to walk away.After distancing himself from the interaction, the tourist can be heard saying, “Wow! Getting bloody molested by people younger than me.”A text overlay on the video read: “Why do Indian guys always want you to kiss them?”Viral clip draws mixed reactions onlineThe video has since gone viral, attracting thousands of comments and reactions across social media. Many users criticised the behaviour shown in the clip and expressed sympathy for the tourist.A user said, “Not every Indian is like them.”“I think you landed in the wrong India,” one user commented.Another tagged local authorities and wrote, “@kolkatapolice Kindly teach these boys a good lesson.”Some users object to the generalisationWhile many condemned the incident, others took issue with the caption and what they viewed as a broad generalisation about Indian men.“If you’re so broke that you can’t visit actual tourist places, don’t blame India after wandering into random slums for content,” one user wrote.Another commented, “Instead of going to good places in india u guys intentionally go to these kinds of sketchy areas just for content views then upload reels weird captions.”Several users also apologised to the tourist, saying the behaviour shown in the video was unacceptable and did not reflect the conduct of most Indians.(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. Livemint has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.) About the AuthorKanishka SinghariaKanishka Singharia is a Senior Content Producer at Mint with a passion for news, trends, and the stories shaping the digital world. She specialises in spotting viral narratives by constantly tracking social media platforms and turning them into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Her work ranges from fast-paced breaking updates to sensitive human-interest features, blending speed with clarity. With over four years of experience in news and trend reporting, Kanishka has worked with leading organisations such as Hindustan Times and Times Now. She moves seamlessly between profiling business leaders and telling the stories of everyday people, covering national developments just as effortlessly as the memes and conversations that dominate online culture. She also reports on real estate developments and civic challenges in major urban hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Gurugram. Her coverage frequently explores the struggles of startup founders, inspiring journeys of CEOs, and the experiences of candidates dealing with the complexities of visa processes. Kanishka holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism from Delhi University and a diploma from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. Rarely offline, she spends much of her time scrolling through X, LinkedIn, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook in search of the next big story. When she finally logs off, she enjoys binge-watching shows and exploring cafes in pursuit of good food and better conversations. Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news. HomeNew
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