Child Passport Validity Rules Changed by MEA in 2026

A modification in the validity of passports has been brought in by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in regard to children under 15 years of age. As per the new amendment in the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, any ordinary passport issued to a child below 15 will have a validity of five years or until the child attains the age of 18 years, whichever is earlier. The notification for the amendment has been published in the Gazette of India on September 17, 2026, and the amendment pertains to the Passports Rules, 1980.

What Is the New Child Passport Validity?

The amended rule gives a certain period of validity to ordinary passports issued to children below 15 years.

The passport issued to such children will remain valid for,

• For five years, or
• Until the child attains the age of 18 years,

whichever is earlier.

Passport (Amendment) Rules, 2026 – What do they say?

The new rules have been published in the Gazette of India dated 17 September 2026.

These rules have made amendments to the Passports Rules, 1980 in respect of Rule 12(1A) relating to the validity of ordinary passports issued to children.

These new rules provide more clarification about the period of validity for passports issued to children below the age of 15 years.

Passports Affected by the New Rules

It will be applicable only to those ordinary passports issued to children below the age of 15 years.

Rule 12(1A) provides that 36 page ordinary passport issued to an eligible minor will have a validity period for five years or until the child attains the age of 15 years whichever is earlier.

What Happens at the Age of 18 Years?

According to the amendment, the validity of the passport would be limited by age. In case the child attains the age of 18 years before the five-year period expires, the passport would expire once the child attains the age of 18 years.

For instance, in case of issuance of the passport at the age of 14 years, the five years would extend past the age of 18 years. Therefore, the amended rule means that the passport would expire upon the attainment of the age of 18 years.

Significance of the Rule

It is important to note that passport rules regarding minors may vary from those relating to adults. According to the amended rule, the validity of the ordinary passport of a child would depend on the age and duration.

The critical aspect of the rule for parents and guardians is the fact that the validity of the passport of a child below 15 years would be five years and not more than 18 years.