सरकार ने बच्चों के पासपोर्ट से जुड़े नियम बदले:15 साल से छोटे बच्चों का पासपोर्ट 5 साल या 18 साल की उम्र तक वैध होगा

According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has introduced significant changes to the regulations governing passports for minors. Under the new Passport Rules Amendment 2026, which was published in the Gazette of India on September 17, the validity period for passports issued to children under the age of 15 has been adjusted. These passports will now remain valid for a period of five years from the date of issue, or until the child reaches the age of 18, whichever comes first. This marks a departure from the previous system where validity was generally tied to the child reaching 15 years of age.

The updated regulations also clarify the fee structure and discount policies for specific demographics. Children under the age of eight and senior citizens over the age of 60 will continue to be eligible for a 10% discount on new passport applications. However, the ministry has clarified that this concession will not apply to passport re-issuance services. The revised framework encompasses a wide range of services, including Tatkaal processing, renewals, replacement of lost or damaged documents, and the issuance of Police Clearance Certificates.

These amendments represent a broader update to the original 1980 passport rules, aimed at streamlining the application process and aligning document validity with the evolving needs of international travel. Applicants are advised to check the official Passport Seva portal for detailed fee schedules and documentation requirements, as the new rules are now in effect following their official gazette notification.