Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026 notified: new validity terms for children, revised fees
The MEA has notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, changing validity for children's 36-page passports and aligning fees with the revised rates effective July 1.
The Ministry of External Affairs has notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, altering how long passports issued to young children remain valid and updating fee provisions to reflect revised charges. The rules took effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette on September 15.
New validity terms for children
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. The provision replaces the earlier Rule 12(1A).
The practical effect is that a passport issued to a 10-year-old would run for five years, while one issued to a 14-year-old would lapse when that child turns 18, even if the five-year period has not expired. The change applies specifically to 36-page ordinary passports for children under 15.
Fees brought in line with revised rates
The amendment to Rule 8(1) states that fees for passport applications must follow the rates set out in the updated Schedule IV of the Passports Rules, 1980. This gives regulatory backing to the revised passport charges that came into force on July 1.
The updated fees cover fresh passports, reissue, Tatkaal applications, replacement of lost or damaged passports, and Police Clearance Certificates.
What applicants now pay
For adults, a fresh or renewal application for a 36-page ordinary passport costs ₹2,500, up from ₹1,500. A 60-page passport now costs ₹3,500, against ₹2,000 earlier.
Tatkaal charges have also risen. A 36-page adult passport under Tatkaal costs ₹5,000, compared with ₹3,500 previously, while a 60-page Tatkaal passport costs ₹6,000, up from ₹4,000. Replacement of a 60-page passport under Tatkaal is now ₹8,500, against ₹5,500 earlier.
For minors, a 36-page fresh or reissue passport in the normal category costs ₹1,750, up from ₹1,000. A 36-page Tatkaal passport for a minor costs ₹3,000.
A 10% discount on fresh passport applications for children below eight years and senior citizens above 60 years has been retained, though it does not apply to reissue applications.