MEA Revises Passport Validity for Children Under 15 and Updates Application Fees
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has amended the Passports Rules, 1980, through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, effective from September 15. Under the new rules, ordinary 36-page passports issued to children under 15 will be valid for five years or until the child turns 18, whichever is earlier. The amendment also updates passport application fees across categories as specified in Schedule IV, with fee revisions effective from July 1, including increases for fresh, renewal, Tatkaal, and other services.
First-hand measurement across 6 sources
We measured how 6 outlets covered this story. No outlet gave this story a measurable political slant — there is no left–right reading to report. Overall sentiment is neutral (50/100). Lens Score 39/100.
Outlets measured: republicworld, thetribune, news18, thetribune, indiatoday, economictimes. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (50–50/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
economictimes broke this story on 17 Sept, 02:42 pm. Other outlets followed.