New Passport Rules 2026 India: Fees & Child Validity

The new passport rules 2026 India bring two important updates for applicants. Revised passport fees have been in effect from July 1, 2026, while a September amendment has clarified the validity of ordinary passports issued to children below 15 years.

The Ministry of External Affairs notified the latest Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026 on September 15, with the amendment coming into force when it was published in the Gazette of India on September 17. The latest change deals mainly with passport fees and the validity of passports issued to younger children.

This one applies specifically to ordinary 36-page passports issued to children under 15.

Under the amended Rule 12(1A), a child's ordinary passport now stays valid for 5 years from issue, or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first—a jump from the earlier cutoff of 15. It's the change parents most need to know about, and it took effect on September 17, 2026, once published in the Official Gazette.

The minor passport validity rules India can now be summarised simply:

• Child below 15 years: Valid for five years from the date of issue or until age 18, whichever is earlier.
• Applicant aged 15 to 18: A 36-page passport can be issued under the minor category, or the applicant can apply under the adult category where applicable under the rules.
• Adult: Ordinary 36-page and 60-page passports can have a validity of up to 10 years.

The Indian passport validity rules for children therefore give older minors below 15 a longer possible validity period than under the previous age limit.

The revised passport fees announced in June came into effect on July 1, 2026. The new rates apply to fresh passports, reissues, lost or damaged passports, Tatkal services and other passport-related documents. Passport Seva currently confirms that the revised fees are in force.

Under the revised structure, an adult applying for a regular 36-page passport now pays ₹2,500, while the Tatkal fee is ₹5,000. A 60-page passport costs ₹3,500 under normal processing and ₹6,000 under Tatkal.

For minors, a 36-page fresh or reissue passport costs ₹1,750 under normal processing and ₹4,250 under Tatkal. The fee for replacing a lost or damaged 36-page minor passport is ₹4,250 normally and ₹6,750 under Tatkal.

The Indian passport fee hike in 2026 also means higher charges for replacing lost or damaged adult passports. The normal fee is ₹5,000 for a 36-page booklet and ₹6,000 for a 60-page booklet, while the corresponding Tatkal fees are ₹7,500 and ₹8,500. These are among the more visible changes under the new passport rules for 2026 in India, since they affect nearly every applicant regardless of booklet size or age category.

Tatkal Passport Fee Update 2026

The Tatkal fee has applied since July 1 as part of the revised structure. An adult's 36-page passport carries a Tatkal charge of ₹5,000, while a 60-page one costs ₹6,000.

Not everyone qualifies, though—Passport Seva has laid out specific eligibility categories, and applicants must submit an undertaking with supporting documents before the request goes through.

The revised passport application rules in India do not change the basic application process. Applicants still need to apply through the official Passport Seva portal, complete the application, pay the applicable fee, and book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra.

Before submitting an application:

1. The correct fee for your passport category and booklet size
2. Whether you qualify for Tatkal
3. The documents required for a fresh passport or reissue
4. The validity applicable to a minor applicant
5. The details entered in the application before final submission

Passport Seva advises applicants to verify their details carefully because changes cannot be made after the application is submitted.

For parents applying for a child's passport, the latest rule means there is one less renewal deadline to worry about for children who are close to 15. However, the passport still expires either after five years or when the child turns 18, whichever happens first.

The revised fees are already in force, and the September amendment has updated the validity rule for child passports. Applicants should check the official Passport Seva portal for the applicable fee and current application requirements before submitting their passport application.