The Central Government has amended the Passports Rules, 1980, and announced a significant increase in passport application fees. The revised charges will come into force from July 1, 2026.
The changes apply to both fresh passport applications and reissued passports. In addition, the cost of obtaining a passport under the Tatkal scheme has been increased substantially.
New Passport Fees Effective From July 1
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), applicants seeking a 36-page passport will now have to pay Rs 2,500, up from the earlier fee of Rs 1,500.
The Tatkal fee for the same category has also been increased. Applicants will now pay Rs 5,000, compared to the previous charge of Rs 3,500.
Revised Fee for 36-Page Passport
| Service | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh/Reissue Passport | Rs 1,500 | Rs 2,500 |
| Tatkal Passport | Rs 3,500 | Rs 5,000 |
60-Page Passport Charges Also Increased
The government has also revised fees for passports containing 60 pages, which are generally preferred by frequent travellers.
The application fee for a fresh or reissued 60-page passport has been raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500.
Similarly, the Tatkal fee has increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000.
Revised Fee for 60-Page Passport
| Service | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh/Reissue Passport | Rs 2,000 | Rs 3,500 |
| Tatkal Passport | Rs 4,000 | Rs 6,000 |
Validity Rules Remain Unchanged
The Ministry clarified that the validity period of passports remains the same.
A standard passport issued to adults will continue to be valid for 10 years.
For minors, the passport will remain valid for five years or until the applicant turns 18 years old, whichever comes first.
Special Discount for Minors and Senior Citizens
The government has retained a concession for certain categories of applicants.
A 10% discount on passport fees will be available for:
- Children up to 8 years of age
- Senior citizens above 60 years of age
However, this discount will apply only to fresh passport applications and not to passport reissues.
Passport Is Not Proof of Citizenship, Says MEA
The fee revision comes shortly after the Ministry of External Affairs clarified the legal status of Indian passports.
The MEA stated that a passport is primarily a travel document that allows Indian citizens to travel internationally and establish their identity abroad.
Officials emphasized that a passport alone should not be considered conclusive proof of Indian citizenship.
Why the Revision Matters
The increase will affect millions of applicants who plan to apply for new passports or renew existing ones after July 1.
While the higher fees may raise the cost of international travel preparation, the government says the updated structure reflects revised administrative and service requirements under the passport system.
Applicants planning to apply soon may benefit from submitting their applications before the revised rates take effect.