VFS Global CEO Zubin Karkaria says less than 10% of Indians currently hold passports, pointing to what he describes as a large opportunity to serve first-time travellers. In an interview with NDTV, Karkaria links this low passport “penetration” to demand that could grow as more people in India—particularly those in the emerging middle class—seek overseas travel.
The reporting centers on Karkaria’s assessment rather than new government data or policy changes. NDTV presents the figure as a market indicator, suggesting that expanding passport ownership could translate into higher volumes for visa and travel-related services. The two NDTV items share the same core claim, framing the issue as a potential growth driver and focusing on the prospects for first-time travelers. No additional figures, timelines, or projections beyond the “below 10%” estimate are included in the provided text.
