India extends child passport validity to five years or age 18

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing significant changes to passport validity periods for Indian children. Under the amended framework, passports issued to minors below 15 years of age will now be valid for five years or until the holder attains 18 years of age, whichever occurs earlier.

The regulatory amendment modifies the longstanding provisions of the Passports Rules, 1980, which had governed passport issuance and validity in India for over four decades. The change aims to address the evolving travel needs of young Indian citizens while maintaining security protocols applicable to minors.

Previously, child passports were subject to different validity periods. The new rules simplify the framework by establishing a uniform extended validity for the under-15 age group, bringing them closer to international standards followed by many countries for juvenile travel documents.

The amendment comes as India continues to witness rising international travel among families with children, including for education, medical treatment, and leisure purposes. The extended validity period is expected to reduce the administrative burden on parents and guardians seeking to renew their children's travel documents frequently.

The revised rules are now in effect following their notification by the MEA, and passport applicants and existing holders in the specified age group can benefit from the extended validity provisions.