For parents planning a family holiday, school exchange, or an international trip, a passport expiry date can become an unexpected piece of travel admin. India has now changed one of the rules governing children’s passports, giving minors below 15 a little more breathing room before they need to renew.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has amended Rule 12 of the Passports Rules, 1980. Under the new provision, a 36-page ordinary passport issued to a child below 15 will be valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first. The amendment came into force when the notification was published in the Official Gazette on September 17, 2026.
What Has Changed In India’s Child Passport Rule?
The change removes the earlier age-15 ceiling. Previously, an ordinary 36-page passport for a child below 15 was valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turned 15, whichever came first. That meant a passport issued to a 14-year-old could effectively be valid for only a year.
The new rule pushes that age limit to 18. So, a passport issued to a 10-year-old can remain valid for five years, while one issued shortly before the child turns 15 can continue until the child reaches 18. It does not mean every child automatically gets five years of validity: the child’s age on the date of issue still matters.
The amendment specifically refers to ordinary 36-page passports for children below 15. Children aged 15 to 18 continue to have the option of a minor passport or, subject to the applicable process, a full-validity passport.
What Are The New Passport Fees For Children?
There is another change parents should keep in mind. The MEA revised passport service fees from July 1, 2026, separately from the September amendment on validity.
For a minor below 18, a fresh or reissued ordinary 36-page passport currently costs INR 1,750 in India. The revised fee schedule lists the Tatkaal fee at INR 4,250, inclusive of the normal fee. A replacement passport for a minor in case of loss or damage costs INR 4,250 under the normal fee schedule and INR 6,750 under Tatkaal.
The revised fee schedule also distinguishes between minors and applicants aged 18 and above, so parents should use the official Passport Seva fee calculator before making a payment. Passport Seva itself currently warns applicants that fees were revised from July 1 and advises checking the applicable amount before paying.
For fresh applications, children aged eight or below are eligible for a 10 per cent rebate on the basic passport fee, according to Passport Seva's application guidance.
What Should Parents Do Now?
If you are applying for a passport for a child below 15, the new validity rule applies to the passport issued now. There is no need to time an application around the old age-15 cutoff. Instead, check the child’s age on the expected date of issue and plan international travel around the resulting expiry date.
The application process itself remains broadly familiar. Parents or guardians can apply through Passport Seva, select the appropriate fresh or reissue service, pay the applicable fee and book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra. Original documents and the required copies must be taken to the appointment.
For minors, Passport Seva says address proof in the name of a parent can be submitted, while parents are advised to carry their original passports and self-attested copies if they have them. The exact documents can vary according to the child's circumstances, particularly in single-parent, separated-parent, guardianship or other special cases.
One practical point remains important: check the passport’s actual expiry date before booking international travel. The new rule makes the age-18 ceiling more flexible, but it does not turn a child’s passport into a standard 10-year adult passport. Once the child reaches 18, a new adult passport will be required under the applicable rules.
FAQs
1. What is the new child passport rule in India?
Under the amended rule, 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.
2. How long is a minor passport valid in India?
For a child below 15, the ordinary 36-page passport can now remain valid for five years or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first.
3. What is the passport fee for a minor in India in 2026?
A fresh or reissued ordinary 36-page passport for a minor below 18 currently costs INR 1,750 in India. Tatkaal applications cost INR 4,250, according to the revised fee schedule.
4. What documents are required for a child's passport in India?
Parents or guardians need to submit the documents applicable to the child's circumstances. Passport Seva allows address proof in a parent's name in eligible cases and advises parents to carry their original passports and self-attested copies where applicable.
5. Do children need a new passport after turning 18?
Yes. A minor passport does not automatically become an adult passport. Once the child turns 18, a new adult passport will be required under the applicable rules.
