New Delhi, Sept. 18 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing changes to passport fees and validity provisions, particularly for children.

The amended rules, signed by Joint Secretary and Chief Passport Officer B.S. Mubarak, came into effect on September 15 following their publication in the Official Gazette.

Under the substituted Sub-Rule (1A) of Rule 12, an ordinary 36-page 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 occurs earlier.

The amendment provides a revised framework for determining the validity of passports issued to young applicants.

The changes also amend Rule 8(1)...