The Ministry of External Affairs has made a major change to the rules governing children’s passports. Under the new rules, a 36-page ordinary passport issued to a child below the age of 15 will remain valid for five years from the date of issue.
However, if the child turns 18 before completing five years, the passport will expire. In other words, the passport will remain valid until whichever comes first—five years or the child turning 18.
The Ministry of External Affairs published the Passport (Amendment) Rules, 2026, in the Gazette of India on 17 September. The rules amend the Passports Rules, 1980.
The 10 per cent discount for children and senior citizens will continue
The 10 per cent discount on new passport applications will continue for children below the age of eight and senior citizens above the age of 60. However, this discount will not apply to re-issue applications. Despite the increase in passport service fees for children, the discount will remain available for fresh passport applications.
The new passport fee structure includes services such as Tatkal applications, passport renewals, replacements for lost or damaged passports, and police clearance certificates, in addition to regular applications.
New rule on children’s passports: explained in Q&A
Q: What is the new validity period for passports of children under 15? A: The passport will remain valid for 5 years from the date of issue, or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first.
Q: What was the earlier rule? A: Previously, a 36-page ordinary passport for children under 15 remained valid for 5 years or until the child turned 15, whichever came first.
Q: Which age group benefits most from the new rule? A: Particularly children who get passports made between the ages of 12 and 14. Earlier, the passport would expire sooner due to the age-15 cap; now it can remain valid until age 18.
Q: What if the child turns 18 before completing 5 years? A: The passport will remain valid only until the 18th birthday — it won’t wait for the full 5 years to elapse.
Q: What needs to be done after turning 18? A: A new passport must be obtained under the adult category.
Q: Has the passport fee also changed? A: Yes. Passport service fees have been revised from 1 July 2026. The fee for a minor’s 36-page ordinary passport has risen from ₹1,000 to ₹1,750.
Q: Will children get any fee discount? A: Yes. A 10% discount will continue to apply for new passport applications for children under 8.
Q: Does this discount also apply to passport re-issue? A: No. The 10% discount applies only to new passport applications, not re-issue applications.
Q: When were the new rules issued? A: The Ministry of External Affairs notified the Passport (Amendment) Rules, 2026 on 15 September 2026, which were published in the Gazette of India on 17 September.
