India Changes Child Passport Validity Rules for Children Under 15

New Indian Passport Rules: Revised Validity for Children Under 15

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced significant updates to Indian passport validity for children below 15 years. Under the new regulations, ordinary Indian passports issued to children will now be valid for five years or until they turn 18, whichever comes first.

This crucial amendment is introduced through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, officially published in the Gazette of India on September 17. These new rules revise the earlier Passports Rules, 1980, demonstrating ongoing efforts to modernize India’s passport framework.

What the New Passport Validity Means for Children

As per the amended Rule 12(1A), a standard 36-page ordinary passport issued to a child under 15 years will have its validity determined by two conditions:

• It remains valid for five years from the date of issue, or
• It remains valid until the child’s 18th birthday.

The passport will expire based on whichever of these two events occurs first. For example, if a passport is issued to a 14-year-old, its validity will cease when the child turns 18, not after a full five years. These amended rules took immediate effect upon their publication in the Official Gazette.

Passport Application Fees Also Updated

The official notification further includes amendments to Rule 8, which governs passport application fees. The updated fees for various application categories will now align with the specifications detailed in Schedule IV of the Passport Rules.

For Indian families planning international trips, this revised validity formula makes it essential to meticulously check their child’s passport expiry date before making travel bookings. This is particularly important for destinations that require a minimum of several months of passport validity beyond the intended travel period.

These latest changes follow another amendment to the Passport Rules issued in June 2026, reflecting a dynamic approach to updating India’s passport regulations rather than relying on outdated long-standing rules.

Travel Advice for Families: Key Takeaways

While this is a practical change that offers clarity for families, parents must carefully monitor passport expiry dates for their children before any international travel, especially considering any additional passport validity requirements imposed by destination countries.