Child Passport Issued Under 15 Years to Be Valid for 5 Years or Till They Turn 18
The new rules extend child passport validity to 5 years and raise several application fees, including higher Tatkaal charges, the ministry said.
- On September 17, the Ministry of External Affairs published the Passports Rules, 2026, in the Official Gazette, introducing revised validity terms for children's passports and updated fee structures across application categories.
- Under the newly substituted Sub-Rule of Rule 12, a 36-page ordinary passport issued to a child under 15 will remain valid for five years from issuance or until the child turns 18, whichever occurs first.
- The Ministry revised fees for minor passports, with a 36-page normal category booklet now costing Rs 1,750, while Tatkaal service for the same category is Rs 3,000, up from earlier rates.
- Adult 36-page Tatkaal passport fees increased to Rs 5,000, while a 10% discount remains available for fresh applications by children below 8 and senior citizens above 60 years, though not for reissues.
- Signed by Joint Secretary and Chief Passport Officer BS Mubarak, the regulations came into force immediately upon publication, amending the foundational Passports Rules, 1980, last updated in June 2026.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Passport Rules Changed: Children Under 15 To Get 5-Year Validity Or Until Age 18
<p>The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has changed passport rules for children under 15, with ordinary passports issued to them now valid for five years or until they turn 18, whichever comes earlier.</p> <p>The change was notified through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on September 17. The amended rules modify the Passports Rules, 1980.</p> <p>Under the revised Rule 12(1A), a 36-page ordinary passpor…
Child passport issued under 15 years to be valid for 5 years or till they turn 18
New Delhi, Sep 17: In a latest development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has notified new rules under which the ordinary passports issued to children below 15 years of age will now be valid for five years or until the child turns 18, whichever is earlier. The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on September 17, amend the Passports Rules, 1980. Under the amended rule 12(1A), a 36-page ordinary passport i…
Passport rules 2026: Children under 15 get new validity terms; Check revised fresh, renewal and tatkaal fees
Under the amended rules, a 36-page ordinary passport issued to a child below 15 years of age will be valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first.
Passports for minors valid for 5 years, MEA's new rules kick in
New Delhi: Ordinary Indian passports issued to children below 15 years of age will now be valid for five years or until the child turns 18, whichever is earlier, under the new rules notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, published in the Gazette of India on September 17, … Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Te…
MEA updates validity norms for children under 15, revises application fee - The Tribune
Under the newly substituted Sub-Rule (1A) of Rule 12, a 36-page ordinary passport issued to a child under 15 years of age will now remain valid for 5 years from the date of issue OR until the child turns 18, whichever comes first.
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