New passport rule sets five-year validity for children under 15, revises fee
· India · Hindustan Times, The Siasat Daily
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has revised passport rules under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, effective from September 15, extending the validity of a 36-page ordinary passport for children under 15 to five years—whichever comes first, either the expiry of five years or the child turning 18. Previously, such passports were valid until the child reached 15. The amendment also standardises passport application fees to align with updated rates in Schedule IV of the Passports Rules, 1980. The change was signed by Joint Secretary and Chief Passport Officer BS Mubarak and applies to all new applications under the Passports Act, 1967. The actual validity now depends on the child’s age at issuance, meaning a passport issued at age 14 will expire upon turning 18, not at 19. The notification clarifies that fees for all application types must now strictly follow the revised rates in Schedule IV.
Why it matters
Parents of children under 15 will benefit from longer passport validity, reducing the hassle of frequent renewals before the child turns 18. The fee revision ensures transparency and consistency, impacting families planning international travel or long-term stays abroad. The change also simplifies administrative processes for minors, though the exact financial impact on applicants remains unclear without specific fee details.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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