Passports in India: Colours, Categories, and Their Purpose
Passports are one of the most important identity documents for international travel, and every country designs its passport colors and categories based on its governance structure. In India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issues passports that not only serve as travel permits but also indicate the status and role of the passport holder.
India issues three types of passports, each with a distinct colour: dark blue, maroon, and white. These colours signify the nature of the holder’s responsibilities or purpose of travel.
The dark blue passport is the most common and is issued to ordinary Indian citizens for general purposes such as tourism, business, education, or family visits abroad. It comes with either 36 or 60 pages, depending on the travel needs of the applicant. Adults receive passports valid for 10 years, while for minors, the validity is five years or until they turn 18, whichever comes earlier.
The maroon passport is a diplomatic passport, issued to high-ranking Indian diplomats and government representatives who travel on official diplomatic assignments. These passports come with several privileges, including fast-track immigration, diplomatic immunity in certain cases, and access to exclusive airport lounges.
The white passport is issued to Indian government officials who travel overseas for official work but do not hold diplomatic status. This passport distinguishes government-related travel and is carried by bureaucrats and other non-diplomatic personnel representing India abroad.
Apart from colour distinctions, Indian passports are also categorised based on emigration clearance status. The ECR (Emigration Check Required) category applies to individuals who have not completed their 10th-grade education or are considered vulnerable to exploitation abroad. These passport holders must get clearance from the Protector of Emigrants before travelling to certain countries for employment.
On the other hand, the Non-ECR category is for individuals who have higher education qualifications or fall under specific income brackets. Holders of Non-ECR passports are exempt from the emigration clearance process and can travel freely for work or other purposes to most countries.
Thus, India’s passport system is carefully designed to reflect the purpose of travel, official duty, and the level of clearance needed, ensuring both facilitation and regulation of international movement.
