India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday amended the 1980 Passports Rules, allowing ordinary 36‑page passports issued to children under 15 to remain valid for five years or until the child turns 18, whichever comes first. The change eliminates the need for frequent renewals that previously required a new passport every two years.
Until now, minors could only hold passports for two years, a constraint that forced parents to juggle paperwork with school schedules and travel plans.
Anandhi Mehta, mother of 10‑year‑old Rahul, said the new rule will spare her annual trips to renew passports. She added that fewer renewals will free up time for her son’s school projects.
MEA spokesperson Shashikant Sharma told reporters the amendment will reduce the administrative burden on the passport office and ease international travel for young citizens.
The revised rule applies to passports issued from the notification date, with no retroactive effect; families can now apply for the longer validity at any renewal appointment.