India has made significant changes to passport rules in 2026 as it comes to children, passport application fees, Tatkaal services, and many other passport-related services. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has updated the Passports Rules, 1980, with the new validity framework for children’s passports and confirmed updated fee structures.
The latest amendment was published in the Official Gazette on September 17, 2026, while the revised passport fees had already come into effect from July 1, 2026. The changes cover fresh passport applications, reissues, Tatkaal applications, replacement of lost or damaged passports, and other services.
Children's Passport Validity Changed
One of the most important changes concerns passports issued to children under 15 years of age.
An ordinary 36-page passport issued to a child under 15 will now be valid for five years from the date of issue or until the child turns 18, whichever comes earlier.
The current age and passport validity of children will also be key to a parent’s decisions about international travel. If a child gets a passport at the age of 13, for example, the document will be valid for five years unless the child turns 18 earlier.
The revised provision changes Rule 12(1A) of the Passports Rules, 1980.
Children aged 15-18 can also have different validity options depending on the category for which they apply. Passport Seva guidance states that minors in this age group can have the option of applying for a passport with longer validity under specified conditions.
Passport fees increased from July 1
The government revised passport fees from July 1, 2026. The increase applies to several categories of applications.
For adults aged 18 years and above, a 36-page passport or reissue now costs ₹2,500, compared to ₹1,500 in the past. A 60-page passport costs ₹3,500, up from ₹2,000.
For minors, a fresh or reissued 36-page passport under the normal category costs ₹1,750 compared with the earlier ₹1,000 fee.
New Passport Fee Structure
| Passport Service | Earlier Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Adult 36-page Normal | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Adult 60-page Normal | ₹2,000 | ₹3,500 |
| Minor 36-page Normal | ₹1,000 | ₹1,750 |
| Adult 36-page Tatkaal | ₹3,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Adult 60-page Tatkaal | ₹4,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Minor 36-page Tatkaal | ₹3,000 | ₹4,250 |
.
The revised schedule is specified under Schedule IV of the Passport Rules.
Tatkaal Passport Services Also Become More Expensive
If it is an application for faster passport processing, applicants will also pay higher fees under the revised system.
For an adult applying for a 36-page passport through Tatkaal, the total fee is now ₹5,000. For a 60-page passport, the Tatkaal fee is ₹6,000.
The revised fee is ₹4,250 for minors applying for a 36-page passport under Tatkaal.
Tatkaal applications are still subject to eligibility and document requirements. Passport Seva also states that police verification for Tatkaal applications is generally done after passport issuance, depending on the case.
Replacement of Lost or Damaged Passports
The new fee structure also increases the fees for the replacement of passports lost or damaged.
A replacement 36-page passport costs ₹5,000 under the normal category and ₹7,500 under Tatkaal. For a 60-page replacement passport, the corresponding fees are ₹6,000 and ₹8,500.
These charges are separate from the standard fresh passport and reissue fees.
Discount for Young Children Continues
Even in spite of the overall increase in fees, the government has kept a 10% concession on fresh passport applications for children up to eight years of age and senior citizens over 60 years.
The concession is only valid on new applications and is not extended to passport reissue applications.
Other Passport-Related Charges Revised
The fee changes go beyond passport booklets. The fee for a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), Surrender Certificate, Global Entry Program verification, and certain other miscellaneous certificates based on passport has been increased to ₹750.
A Certificate of Identity costs ₹1,000, while an Emergency Certificate continues to have no normal fee in India.
What Applicants Should Check Before Applying
Passport applicants must verify the applicable fee before making a payment, especially if they are applying under Tatkaal or for a minor. The official Passport Seva website currently advises applicants that passport application fees have been changed with effect from July 1, 2026.
Parents applying for children should also pay attention to the new validity rules. For children under 15, the validity of the passport is now associated with the five-year period and the child's 18th birthday, with whichever comes first determining the end date.
Overall, the 2026 changes bring higher passport-related costs while introducing a clearer validity framework for younger applicants. Travellers planning international trips should check the latest fees, eligibility, and document requirements before submitting their applications.
