36-page ordinary passport for children to remain valid for five years or until age 18, whichever is earlier
New Delhi, Sep 18 : The Government of India has amended the Passport Rules, 1980, introducing a revised validity provision for ordinary passports issued to children below the age of 15 years.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on September 15, 2026, a copy of which lies with news agency stated that, an ordinary passport containing 36 pages issued to a child below 15 years of age will remain valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child attains 18 years of age, whichever is earlier.
The amendment has been notified as the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, under Section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967.
The notification also substitutes the existing provision under Rule 8, stating that the fee payable for every type of application specified in Schedule IV shall be at the rates corresponding to the relevant application in the Schedule.
The amended rules will come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
The Ministry noted that the Passport Rules, 1980 were last amended through a notification dated June 20, 2026.
