New Delhi, Sept. 17 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing targeted updates to passport application fees and validity terms for children.

Signed by Joint Secretary and Chief Passport Officer BS Mubarak, the new regulations came into force immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette on September 15.

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.

Amendments to Rule 8 (1) mandate that fee structures across all application types strictly adhere to the updated rates specified in Schedule I...