RAS question
According to Passport Seva document guidance, which document is accepted as both proof of address and proof of photo identity for passport services?
Correct answer: (D) Aadhaar.
Aadhaar is accepted by Passport Seva as both proof of address and proof of photo identity for passport-related services, subject to successful validation with the Aadhaar database.
Explanation
Passport Seva document guidance treats Aadhaar as the relevant document because the Ministry of External Affairs notice directed Passport Issuing Authorities to accept an Aadhaar Letter/Card as proof of address and photo identity for passport applications. In passport services, Aadhaar card or e-Aadhaar is accepted for both purposes only when validation with the Aadhaar database succeeds. The same notice also clarifies that an acknowledgement receipt for an Aadhaar application is not the Aadhaar Letter/Card itself, so the accepted document is the actual Aadhaar document carrying the Aadhaar number, not merely proof that someone applied for one.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) PAN Card does not serve both proof-of-address and proof-of-photo-identity roles under Passport Seva's Aadhaar-specific acceptance rule for passport applications.
- (B) Voter ID is not accepted under the Passport Seva Aadhaar-specific rule as both address proof and photo identity for passport applications.
- (C) Driving Licence may function as an identity document in some settings, but Passport Seva's Aadhaar-specific rule concerns Aadhaar Letter/Card, Aadhaar card, and e-Aadhaar, not a driving-licence rule.
Concept
Official documentation rules under governance and citizen-service delivery often turn on the exact document accepted for a service. Passport services also distinguish between an accepted identity/address document and a mere acknowledgement receipt.