Why does my Apple iPad no longer have a Passwod section in Settings

Because Passwords were moved to a separate app called Passwords.

The iPad User Guide is a rich (and often overlooked) source of information about your iPad and iPadOS. Here is direct link to the relevant section of the Guide:

View your passwords and related information on iPad - Apple Support

This support page may also be of interest:

Use the Passwords app to create, manage, and share passwords and passkeys across Apple devices - Apple Support

The Tips App, installed by default on all new models of iPad, provides a brief introduction - and leads you to the User Guide. In case you missed it, here is a link to the Tips App:

https://apps.apple.com/app/tips/id1069509450