Why is birth certificate required for passport ?

Birth certificate is not compulsory for passport. You can submit any one of the following documents as the proof of DOB while submitting the passport application:

• Birth Certificate
• Transfer/School leaving/Matriculation Certificate
• PAN Card issued by the Income Tax Department with the DOB of applicant;
• Aadhaar Card/E-Aadhaar having the DOB of applicant;
• Copy of the extract of the service record of the applicant (only in respect of Government servants) or the Pay Pension Order (in respect of retired Government Servants), duly attested/certified by the officer/in-charge of the administration of the concerned Ministry/Department of the applicant, having his DOB;
• Driving license
• Election Photo Identity Card
• Policy Bond issued by the Public Life Insurance Corporations/Companies having the DOB of the holder of the insurance policy