By shahrukh
6 min read
Passport Fees Hiked
Passport Fees Hiked

India Passport Fees Revised from 1 July 2026

The Government of India has revised passport application fees across all categories, with the new rates coming into effect from 1 July 2026. The revision has been notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, issued under the Passports Act, 1967. The amendment replaces Schedule IV of the Passports Rules, 1980 and marks the first major revision in passport fees since 2012, making it a 14-year gap between fee revisions.

The new fee structure applies to fresh passport applications, reissues, renewals, Tatkal services, replacement of lost or damaged passports, Police Clearance Certificates (PCCs), and other passport-related services. Applications submitted before 1 July 2026 will continue to be processed under the existing fee structure. Only applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026 attract the revised fees.

If you are applying for your first passport, you may also find our detailed guide on how to apply for a passport in India helpful.

What Has Changed and What Has Not

The fee revision affects the following services: fresh and reissue passports (normal and Tatkal), replacement of lost or damaged passports, Police Clearance Certificates, Surrender Certificates, Global Entry Programme verification certificates, and miscellaneous passport-related certificates. The increases range from 43% to 75% depending on the category.

The following has not changed:

  • Passport validity: Adult passports continue to be valid for 10 years. Minor passports continue to be valid for 5 years or until the holder turns 18, whichever is earlier
  • The application process through passportindia.gov.in remains the same
  • Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) network remains unchanged
  • Documents required for fresh application, reissue, and Tatkal remain unchanged

New Passport Fee Structure from 1 July 2026

For Adults (18 Years and Above)

The following fees apply for applicants aged 18 and above for fresh passport, reissue, and renewal:

  • 36-page passport (Normal): Rs 2,500 (earlier Rs 1,500, increase of 67%)
  • 36-page passport (Tatkal): Rs 5,000 (earlier Rs 3,500, increase of 43%)
  • 60-page passport (Normal): Rs 3,500 (earlier Rs 2,000, increase of 75%)
  • 60-page passport (Tatkal): Rs 6,000 (earlier Rs 4,000, increase of 50%)

For Minors (Below 18 Years)

  • 36-page passport (Normal): Rs 1,750
  • 36-page passport (Tatkal): Rs 4,250

Lost or Damaged Passport Replacement

If a passport has been lost, stolen, or damaged, the replacement fee is higher than the standard reissue fee:

  • 36-page replacement (Normal): Rs 5,000
  • 36-page replacement (Tatkal): Rs 7,500
  • 60-page replacement (Normal): Rs 6,000
  • 60-page replacement (Tatkal): Rs 8,000
  • Minor 36-page replacement (Normal): Rs 4,250
  • Minor 36-page replacement (Tatkal): Rs 6,750

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) and Other Services

  • Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) in India: Rs 750 (earlier Rs 500, increase of 50%)
  • Surrender Certificate in India: Rs 750 (earlier Rs 500)
  • Global Entry Programme (GEP) Verification in India: Rs 750 (earlier Rs 500)
  • Miscellaneous passport-related certificates in India: Rs 750
  • Certificate of Identity in India: Rs 1,000
  • Emergency Certificate issued abroad: US$15
  • PCC issued abroad: US$40

Which Category Sees the Highest Hike

The 60-page passport under the normal category sees the highest percentage increase at 75%, going from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500. This passport type is commonly used by frequent international travellers, business travellers, and those who visit many countries and need additional pages. The 67% hike for the standard 36-page adult passport is the second highest percentage increase. The Tatkal service for the 36-page passport sees the lowest percentage increase at 43%, though the absolute fee is still significantly higher at Rs 5,000.

Why Were Passport Fees Revised

The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026 update the fee schedule under the Passports Rules, 1980. The MEA has not issued a detailed public statement on the specific reasons for the revision. However, the revision comes after a 14-year gap since the last fee update in 2012, during which operational costs, technology upgrades at Passport Seva Kendras, and infrastructure costs have increased significantly. India issues over 1.5 crore passports annually, making it one of the largest passport-issuing countries in the world.

Should You Apply Before 1 July 2026

If your passport is due for renewal or you were planning to apply for a fresh passport or Tatkal service, the MEA has clarified that applications submitted before 1 July 2026 will be processed at the existing lower rates. If you submit your application and pay the fee before 1 July 2026, the old rates apply regardless of when the passport is physically issued.

For example, if you need to renew a 36-page adult passport and apply on 30 June 2026 paying Rs 1,500, that application is processed at the old rate. The same application submitted on 1 July 2026 or later would cost Rs 2,500.

For urgent travel needs, Tatkal services are available both before and after the fee revision. After 1 July 2026, the Tatkal fee for a 36-page passport is Rs 5,000 in addition to the normal fee of Rs 2,500, totalling Rs 7,500 for an adult Tatkal application.

How to Apply for a Passport in India

The application process through passportindia.gov.in remains unchanged. Here is the complete process:

  1. Go to passportindia.gov.in and register or log in with your existing account
  2. Click Apply for Fresh Passport/Reissue of Passport from the services menu. Before filling the application, keep your Aadhaar Card, address proof and identity documents ready to avoid delays during verification.
  3. Fill in the online application form with personal details, family details, and travel history
  4. Select the type of booklet (36-page or 60-page), scheme (Normal or Tatkal), and appointment location
  5. Pay the fee online through net banking, debit or credit card, or UPI at the time of appointment booking
  6. Book an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK)
  7. Visit the PSK or POPSK on the appointment date with original documents
  8. After document verification and biometric capture at the PSK, the application moves to police verification
  9. After successful police verification, the passport is dispatched by Speed Post to your registered address

Track your passport application status at passportindia.gov.in using your file number or application reference number.

Tatkal Passport: When to Use It

The Tatkal scheme is for applicants who need a passport urgently. Under Tatkal, the application is processed faster than the normal scheme. After the 1 July 2026 revision, the total cost for a Tatkal adult 36-page passport is the normal fee (Rs 2,500) plus the Tatkal fee (Rs 5,000), totalling Rs 7,500. The Tatkal applicant must meet the eligibility conditions and submit the required documents including a self-declaration of urgency. Not all PSKs process Tatkal applications on all days. Check availability when booking the appointment.

Passport for Minors: What Parents Need to Know

Passports for minors below 18 years are issued for 5 years or until the minor turns 18, whichever is earlier. The fee for a fresh or reissue 36-page minor passport from 1 July 2026 is Rs 1,750 under the normal scheme and Rs 4,250 under Tatkal. If a minor's passport is lost or damaged, the replacement fee is Rs 4,250 under normal and Rs 6,750 under Tatkal. Both parents must consent to the passport application for minors. In cases of single parent, court-issued documentation may be required.

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): New Fee

The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) is required for employment abroad, immigration, long-term visas, and certain foreign applications. From 1 July 2026, the PCC fee in India is Rs 750, up from Rs 500. The PCC application is also submitted through passportindia.gov.in. The PCC is processed after police verification of your current address and is typically issued within a few working days of the appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

The revised passport fees are effective from 1 July 2026. Applications submitted before 1 July 2026 will be processed at the earlier fee structure. Only applications submitted on or after 1 July 2026 will attract the new revised fees as notified under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026.

From 1 July 2026, a fresh or reissued 36-page passport for adults (18 years and above) costs Rs 2,500 under the normal scheme and Rs 5,000 under the Tatkal scheme. This is an increase from the earlier Rs 1,500 (normal) and Rs 3,500 (Tatkal). The 60-page adult passport costs Rs 3,500 (normal) and Rs 6,000 (Tatkal).

The last revision in passport fees before this was in 2012. The Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026 mark the first major fee revision in 14 years, updating the fee schedule under Schedule IV of the Passports Rules, 1980.

From 1 July 2026, the Tatkal fee for a 36-page adult passport is Rs 5,000 and for a 60-page adult passport is Rs 6,000. The total Tatkal cost includes both the normal fee and the Tatkal fee. For a 36-page adult passport, the total Tatkal cost is Rs 2,500 (normal) plus Rs 5,000 (Tatkal) = Rs 7,500.

No. Passport validity remains unchanged. Adult passports continue to be valid for 10 years from the date of issue. Passports issued to minors below 18 years remain valid for 5 years or until the holder attains 18 years, whichever is earlier.

From 1 July 2026, replacement of a lost or damaged 36-page adult passport costs Rs 5,000 under the normal scheme and Rs 7,500 under Tatkal. A 60-page replacement costs Rs 6,000 (normal) and Rs 8,000 (Tatkal). For minors, the replacement fee is Rs 4,250 (normal) and Rs 6,750 (Tatkal).

The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) fee in India has been revised from Rs 500 to Rs 750 from 1 July 2026. The PCC fee for overseas applicants has been set at US$40. The same Rs 750 fee also applies to Surrender Certificates, Global Entry Programme verification, and other miscellaneous passport-related certificates.

A 36-page passport is the standard booklet issued to most applicants. A 60-page passport has more visa pages and is generally preferred by frequent international travellers, business travellers, and those who visit many countries frequently. From 1 July 2026, the 60-page passport costs Rs 3,500 (normal) and Rs 6,000 (Tatkal), compared to Rs 2,500 and Rs 5,000 for the 36-page version.

The application portal remains the same: passportindia.gov.in. Register or log in, fill the online form, pay the revised fee online, and book an appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). The process has not changed, only the fee amounts have been revised from 1 July 2026.

The fee applicable is determined by the date of application submission and payment, not the date of the appointment. If you submit the application and pay the fee before 1 July 2026, the old fee applies. However, confirm this with the passportindia.gov.in portal as the system may apply fees based on the appointment booking date. It is advisable to complete the entire application and payment process before 30 June 2026 if you want to avoid the higher fees.

Yes. All passport applications in India are submitted online through passportindia.gov.in. There is no separate offline fee. The fee is paid online at the time of appointment booking. The revised fee structure from 1 July 2026 applies uniformly across all PSK and POPSK locations in India.

Add new comment

About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.