NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 18: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has amended passport rules, introducing a revised validity period for ordinary passports issued to children below the age of 15 years.
Under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified in the Gazette of India on September 17, an ordinary 36-page passport issued to a child below 15 years will now remain valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 18, whichever is earlier.
The amendment modifies Rule 12(1A) of the Passports Rules, 1980.
The notification, dated September 15, also revised Rule 8, relating to passport application fees. Under the amended provision, the applicable fee for each category of passport application will be as specified in Schedule IV of the rules.
The amended provisions have come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
The Passports Rules, 1980 were originally notified on December 11, 1980, and have undergone several amendments, with the latest changes coming through the 2026 notification.
