Q452. Can Indian Government find out my nationality - Passport Surrender Penalties

Question: Dear Sir/Madam, I was reading an article regarding Passport Surrender of Old Indian Passports - Penalties. I am just curious that how will Indian government find if someone is American, British or other nationality? Many Thanks Manish Sharma

Answer: I guess your question relates to penalties associated with failure to surrender previous Indian passports in a timely manner by former Indian citizens who have acquired foreign citizenship. I doubt if the Indian government cares to go on a witch-hunt find people who previously held Indian citizenship, have acquired foreign citizenship and not surrendered their old Indian passports. If some one who held an Indian passport previously acquires foreign citizenship, then does not surrender their Indian passport, no one may care. The problem for such a person will arise, when she/he decides to visit India and their old Indian passport has expired! • They will need a visa to visit India. The Indian visa application specifically asks for the applicants nationality at birth! • They ask for date of birth of the visa applicant as well as the city and country of birth. • Any individual born in India seeking a visa after acquiring foreign citizenship is now required to provide proof of passport surrender. • Using Indian passport to travel after acquiring foreign citizenship is illegal and lying on a visa application may result in not only denial of a visa, but a ban for life!