India has introduced revised passport validity rules for minors, alongside higher passport fees across categories. Under the new framework, passports issued to children below 15 years will be valid for five years or until they turn 18, whichever is earlier, with revised fees for ordinary and Tatkaal applications.
The changes, under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, have been in effect since 1 July. The revised framework introduces different validity options based on the applicant’s age.
Children below 15 years will receive an ordinary 36-page passport valid for five years from the date of issue or until they reach 18 years, whichever comes first. Therefore, a passport issued to a 10-year-old will be valid for five years, while one issued to a 14-year-old will remain valid until the holder turns 18.
Applicants aged 15 to 18 years can choose between a passport valid until they turn 18 and a full-validity passport. Applicants aged 18 years and above continue to be eligible for passports valid for up to 10 years.
Passport fees revised
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a 36-page ordinary passport for adults and applicants aged 15 to 18 years opting for full validity now costs INR2,500, compared with INR1,500 earlier. A 60-page passport costs INR3,500, up from INR2,000.
Tatkaal applications now cost INR5,000 for 36 pages, compared with INR3,500 earlier, while the fee for a 60-page passport has increased to INR6,000 from INR4,000.
For minors, the fee for a 36-page ordinary passport has increased to INR1,750 from INR1,000. The Tatkaal fee for minors is now INR4,250, compared with INR3,000 earlier.
The revised fee structure also applies to passport reissues and the replacement of lost or damaged passports.
Senior citizens above 60 years continue to receive a 10 per cent discount on fresh passport applications, while children below eight years are eligible for a 10 per cent concession. According to MEA, these discounts do not apply to passport reissue applications.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.