The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) published the amended rules in the Official Gazette on September 15, after signing them by Joint Secretary and Chief Passport Officer BS Mubarak.
Under Sub‑Rule (1A) of Rule 12, a 36‑page ordinary passport for a child under 15 now remains valid for 5 years from issuance or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first.
The amendment also revises fee structures across all application types, aligning them with Schedule IV of the Passports Rules, 1980. Adult 36‑page passports now cost Rs 2,500, up from Rs 1,500, while 60‑page passports rise to Rs 3,500 from Rs 2,000.
Tatkaal services see similar hikes: a 36‑page passport costs Rs 5,000 instead of Rs 3,500, and a 60‑page passport costs Rs 6,000 instead of Rs 4,000. Replacement of a lost 60‑page passport under Tatkaal now costs Rs 8,500, up from Rs 5,500.
Children below 15 pay Rs 1,750 for a 36‑page passport, up from Rs 1,000, and Rs 3,000 for Tatkaal, while a 10% discount remains for first‑time applications by children under 8 and seniors over 60, but not for reissues.
The Ministry had previously raised passport fees on July 1, 2026, affecting all categories. The new rules aim to standardise fee collection and reflect inflation, but parents say the increased costs will strain families travelling abroad.