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New Passport Rules for Children in 2026: Validity Extended, Fees Revised
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News18•23-09-2026, 14:51
New Passport Rules for Children in 2026: Validity Extended, Fees Revised
- •India's Ministry of External Affairs has revised passport rules for children, extending the validity period for ordinary 36-page passports issued to those below 15.
- •The new rule, effective September 2026, allows passports for children under 15 to be valid for five years or until they turn 18, whichever comes first, replacing the previous age-15 cut-off.
- •Children aged 15 to 18 can still opt for a minor passport or a full-validity 10-year adult passport.
- •Passport fees were revised from July 1, 2026: a fresh or reissued 36-page ordinary passport for a minor now costs ’1,750, with a Tatkaal fee of ’4,250.
- •Parents should always check the actual expiry date on the passport before booking international travel, as the passport does not automatically become a full-validity adult passport when the child turns 18.
Key Questions Answered
Under the amended rules, an ordinary 36-page passport issued to a child below 15 is valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first.
A fresh or reissued 36-page ordinary passport for a minor now costs ₹1,750, up from the previous ₹1,000, while the Tatkaal fee for minors is set at ₹4,250.
Yes, a 10 per cent discount applies to fresh passport applications for children under eight years old, though this rebate does not cover reissues.
