New passport rule sets five-year validity for children under 15, revises fee

The Ministry of External Affairs has revised passport rules to set a five-year validity period for ordinary passports issued to children under 15 years of age, effective immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette on September 15. This amendment, made under the Passports Act, 1967 and modifications to Rule 12 of the Passports Rules, 1980, affects the validity period of passports issued to minors, with the actual duration dependent on the child's age at the time of passport issuance.

Additionally, Rule 8 of the rules has been amended to align passport application fees with the updated rates specified in Schedule IV of the Passports Rules, 1980, with the new fees set to take effect from July 1, 2026.

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