New Delhi, Sept. 18 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing changes to passport validity for children and bringing fee provisions in line with revised rates. The rules came into effect immediately after being published in the Official Gazette on September 15.

The amendments come after the MEA revised passport service fees from July 1.

Here is what applicants need to know.

Under the amended rules, a 36-page ordinary 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 comes first.

This provision replaces the earlier Rule 12(1A).

For example, if a passport is issued to a 10-year-old ch...