In a recent update, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced major changes to India’s passport rules. MEA has introduced a new validity framework for passports for children below 15 years of age. Under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, the validity of passports issued for children below 15 will be valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first. Let’s take a look at all the major changes introduced by the MEA to Indian passport rules 2026.
New Indian Passport Rules 2026: What’s Changing?
Validity Of Your Child’s Passport Is Changing
In an important new rule, families planning international trips might now get their child’s passport with shorter validity. For kids below 15 years of age, a passport will remain valid for only 5 years or until the holder turns 18, whichever comes first.
For example, a passport issued to a 10-year-old child will remain valid till the child turns 15. If the passport is issued to a 14-year-old child, it will expire when the child turns 18.
However, there’s also a catch. Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 can choose to have a passport that expires at 18 years of age like other children, or opt for a full validity passport (ten years, like adults).
So if you’re a family booking an international outing, remember to carefully check your child’s passport’s expiry date before making any plans.
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Passport Fees Now Hiked!
The MEA has also hiked fees on issuing new and renewed passports, including tatkaal fees and fees for children’s passports.
For adults, a fresh or renewed 36-page passport now costs INR 2,500 up from INR 1,500. For the 60-page version, that would cost INR 3,500 from INR 2,000.
If you need a passport on a shorter notice, Indian passport rules 2026 state that adults must pay INR 5,000 for Tatkaal fees. For the 60-page booklet, Tatkaal processing will charge INR 6,000 while a 60-page lost or damaged passport in Tatkaal replacement will set you back INR 8,500!
The fee hike doesn’t exempt children either! A fresh or renewed 36-page passport for a minor will now cost INR 1,750 up from INR 1,000. The Tatkaal version for the same will now cost INR 4,250 up from INR 3,000. A silver lining here is that there shall be a 10% discount to fresh applicants for children under 8 years of age and citizens above 60 years of age. The concession applies to fresh applications and not to passport reissue applications.
Also Read: Passport Or Voter ID? What Indians Need To Enter Bhutan In 2026
What To Check Before Your Next Trip?
Now that the MEA has updated Indian passport rules 2026, it is essential to note the new changes and rules in place. Before booking any international trip, check the validity of the passports of your family members. With the new rules in place, a child’s passport could expire sooner because of the age-linked validity rule. Also check the passport requirements for the country you’re visiting to confirm validity and other details.
Also Read: UAE Indian Passport, Visa Processing Changes From July 1, 2026
Summing Up
The MEA has updated Indian passport rules 2026 while also hiking passport issuance fees. It is therefore crucial to check the latest validity rules before planning a foreign trip. For families traveling with minors and senior citizens, checking on passport validity well ahead of departure can help avoid last-minute complications.
