New passport rule sets five-year validity for children under 15

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India's Ministry of External Affairs has amended passport rules so children under 15 get 36-page passports valid for five years or until they turn 18, whichever comes earlier.
The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, took effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette on September 15.
Previously, a child's 36-page passport was valid for five years or until the child turned 15, whichever was earlier.
The notification also amends Rule 8 so passport application fees strictly follow the rates listed in Schedule IV of the Passports Rules, 1980.
Passport fees already rose from July 1, with a 36-page adult passport now costing ₹2,500 instead of ₹1,500, so families planning a child's passport should check validity and fee details before applying.

Publication of the updated Schedule IV fee rates for children's passport applications.
Whether a child's passport issued just before age 18, with minimal effective validity, draws any follow-up clarification from the MEA.

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Named India · BS Mubarak · Ministry of External Affairs

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