The Passports Act, 1967
Administered Ministry: Ministry of External Affairs
Act details
| Short title | The Passports Act, 1967 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for the issue of passports and travel documents, to regulate the departure from India of citizens of India and other persons and for matters incidental or ancillary thereto. |
| Act number | 15 of 1967 |
| Act year | 1967 |
| Enactment date | 24 Jun 1967 |
| Ministry | Ministry of External Affairs |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 29 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 3 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of the Passports Act, 1967
Key Provisions Summary (Based on Provided Context)
1. Definitions: - Defines key terms such as "departure", "passport", "passport authority", "prescribed", and "travel document".
2. Departure from India: - Mandates a valid passport or travel document for departure (Section 3).
3. Classes of Passports and Travel Documents: - Passports: Ordinary, Official, Diplomatic
• Travel Documents: Emergency Certificate, Certificate of Identity, and others as prescribed.
4. Application and Issue: - Procedure for applying, with fees and grounds for refusal by the passport authority.
5. Variation, Impounding, and Revocation (Detailed in Context):
• Section 10 outlines conditions for variation, impounding, or revocation, including:
• Sovereignty and integrity of India
• Security of India
• Friendly relations with foreign countries
• General public interest
• Convictions for offences involving moral turpitude
• Pending court proceedings
• Contravention of document conditions
• Failure to deliver up the document when noticed
• Outstanding warrants or summons
6. Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions (Referenced):
• Power to revoke on application by the holder
• Recording of reasons for impounding/revoking
• Appeal mechanisms (referenced, details not fully provided in context)
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Passports Act, 1967
● Act Title - The Passports Act, 1967
● Act Number / Year - 15 of 1967
● Act ID (India Code) - 196715
● Presidential Assent Date - June 24, 1967
● Enforcement Date - June 24, 1967
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of External Affairs
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Constitutional Right to Travel Abroad Post-Satwant Singh Ruling - Enacted directly following the landmark Supreme Court decision in Satwant Singh Sawhney v. Assistant Passport Officer (1967), which held that the right to travel abroad is part of personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution and cannot be impounded or refused without procedure established by law.
● Statutory Framework for Travel Documents - Formulated to replace executive discretion with a clear statutory regime governing the issuance, impounding, revocation, and regulation of passports and travel documents for citizens and non-citizens leaving India.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Introduced by the Ministry of External Affairs to replace the Passports Ordinance, 1967 (Ordinance 4 of 1967), which was promulgated by the President to urgently provide a statutory basis for issuing passports following the Supreme Court's mandate.
● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Fourth Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during the May–June 1967 session.
● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on June 24, 1967.
● Enforcement - Enforced on June 24, 1967.
Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of External Affairs.