Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026: Changes in Child Passport Validity and Fees
23 September 2026
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Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari
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Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026: Changes in Child Passport Validity and Fees
Current Affairs Note
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026 under the Passports Act, 1967, amending the Passports Rules, 1980. The latest amendment was published in the Gazette of India on 17 September 2026 and came into force immediately.
Salient Points
The major change concerns children below 15 years. Their ordinary 36-page passport will now remain valid for five years from the date of issue or until they attain 18 years of age, whichever is earlier. Earlier, Rule 12(1A) limited such validity to five years or attainment of 15 years, whichever occurred first.
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MEA notifies Passports Amendment Rules 2026: child passports now valid until age 18 instead of 15. Updated fees from July 2026. Policy and implementation details.
Keywords
Passports Amendment Rules 2026child passport validityPassports Act 1967passport feesMEAe-passportidentity verificationPassport Seva Kendras