The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has officially implemented updated regulations regarding passport validity and application costs, effective as of mid-September 2026. A significant change involves minors under the age of 15, whose 36-page passports will now remain valid for five years from the issue date or until they reach their 18th birthday, whichever occurs first. These modifications, formalized through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, aim to streamline the administrative process for young applicants across the country.

Beyond these validity changes, the government has introduced a broader revision of the fee structure for various passport-related services, which took effect earlier in July. Costs for standard and Tatkaal passport applications have seen a notable increase, impacting everything from fresh booklets to replacements for lost documents. While the ministry has increased fees across the board, it has maintained a 10 percent discount for first-time applicants who are either children under eight or seniors over 60, ensuring that these specific groups retain some financial relief despite the overall upward shift in pricing.