From record highs to 7-lakh annual dip
Similar to Punjab, the previous surge in passport applications in Haryana has also come to a halt
30 January, 2026 – Chandigarh : The obsession with obtaining passports among Punjabis has cooled down due to the tightening of entry regulations in foreign countries. Despite this recent dip, the total number of passports issued in the state over the last 12 years has reached nearly 10 million (one crore).
Similar to Punjab, the previous surge in passport applications in Haryana has also come to a halt. According to data released by the Union Ministry of External Affairs, a total of 9.889 million (98.89 lakh) passports were issued in Punjab from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2025.
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During the same period, 4.46 million (44.60 lakh) passports were made in Haryana. In 2023, Punjab saw a record-breaking 1.194 million (11.94 lakh) passports issued. However, in 2024, this figure fell to 1.06 million (10.60 lakh), and in 2025, it dropped significantly to 7,08,000 (7.08 lakh).
Similarly, Haryana issued 448,000 (4.48 lakh) passports in 2025. In 2014, Punjab had issued 548,000 (5.48 lakh) passports, after which new records were set almost every year until the recent decline.
Kamaljit Singh Sidhu, a resident of Canada, noted that the enthusiasm among people has waned due to stricter rules regarding study visas and parental sponsorship in Canada. On the other hand, the Punjab government views this trend as a success of its “Vatan Vapsi” (Return to Motherland) campaign.
On average, every third person in Punjab now holds a passport. Along with Punjab and Haryana, states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Delhi have also recorded a decline. Conversely, the pace of passport issuance has increased in states like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
Nationally, Kerala ranks first with 14.6 million (1.46 crore) passports, followed by Maharashtra with 14.2 million (1.42 crore) and Uttar Pradesh with 12.1 million (1.21 crore). Across the entire country, a total of 139.3 million (13.93 crore) passports were issued in the last 12 years.
Passports Issued in Punjab and Haryana
Year Punjab Haryana
2025 7.08 lakh 4.48 lakh
2024 10.60 lakh 5.49 lakh
2023 11.94 lakh 5.82 lakh
2022 9.35 lakh 4.81 lakh
2021 6.44 lakh 2.88 lakh
2015 6.65 lakh 2.46 lakh
2014 5.48 lakh 2.07 lakh
The Tribune