Archive · 18 Sep 2026
MEA Revises Child Passport Validity and Application Fees
The Ministry of External Affairs changed some passport rules and fees.
The changes were published on September 15 and took effect immediately.
A regular 36-page passport for a child under 15 lasts five years or until the child turns 18.
Whichever happens first ends the passport’s validity.
For example, a passport given to a 14-year-old lasts only until age 18.
Regular adult passport fees are now higher than before.
A 36-page adult passport costs ₹2,500, while a 36-page passport for a minor costs ₹1,750.
Tatkaal services and other passport services also have revised charges.
A 10% discount continues for fresh applications by children under eight and people over 60, but not for reissue applications.
The Ministry of External Affairs notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, on September 15.
A 36-page ordinary passport for children under 15 is valid for five years or until age 18, whichever comes first.
The amended rules require passport fees to follow updated rates in Schedule IV of the Passports Rules, 1980.
Adult fees are now ₹2,500 for a 36-page ordinary passport and ₹3,500 for a 60-page passport.
A minor’s 36-page ordinary passport costs ₹1,750, while the 36-page Tatkaal fee is ₹3,000.
- Who
- The Ministry of External Affairs and passport applicants, including children under 15.
- What
- The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, change child passport validity terms and align passport-service fees with revised rates.
- When
- The rules took effect upon publication in the Official Gazette on September 15; revised service fees began on July 1.
- Where
- The notification was issued in New Delhi and applies to passport applicants nationwide.
- Why
- To update validity rules for children and formally align passport fees with revised Schedule IV rates.
- Issuing authority
- Ministry of External Affairs
- Notification
- Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026
- Publication and effective date
- September 15; effective immediately upon Gazette publication
- Child passport validity
- Five years or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first
- Adult ordinary passport fees
- ₹2,500 for 36 pages and ₹3,500 for 60 pages
- Adult Tatkaal fees
- ₹5,000 for 36 pages and ₹6,000 for 60 pages
- Minor passport fees
- ₹1,750 for a 36-page ordinary passport and ₹3,000 for a 36-page Tatkaal passport
- Discount
- A 10% discount continues for fresh applications by children under eight and senior citizens above 60; it does not apply to reissue cases
