The Central Government has announced a significant revision in the fee structure for obtaining a passport in India. According to the latest notification, getting a passport will become more expensive starting from July 1, 2026. This decision comes as part of the amendments made to the Passport Rules, 1980, where the government has decided to increase the costs associated with various passport and travel-related documents. The revised fee structure has been officially included in Schedule IV and was notified through the Gazette of India (Extraordinary). This change will impact both 'Normal' and 'Tatkaal' application categories, requiring citizens to plan their travel documentation expenses well in advance.
New Fee Structure for Adults and 15-18 Year Olds
For adults aged 18 and above, as well as those in the 15 to 18 age group who choose to apply in the adult category, the costs for a fresh or re-issued 36-page passport have seen a sharp rise. The standard fee for a 36-page passport will increase from 1500 rupees to 2500 rupees, marking an additional burden of 1000 rupees for applicants. For those requiring urgent services under the Tatkaal category, the fee has been hiked from 3500 rupees to 5000 rupees, which is an increase of 1500 rupees. Frequent travelers who prefer the 60-page passport booklet will also face higher costs. The standard application fee for a 60-page passport will rise from 2000 rupees to 3500 rupees, while the Tatkaal application fee for the same will jump from 4000 rupees to 6000 rupees.
Fees for Lost or Damaged Passports
The government has also revised the penalties and fees for the re-issuance of lost or damaged passports. For a 36-page passport that needs to be replaced due to loss or damage, the normal application fee will now be 5000 rupees, while the Tatkaal service for the same will cost 7500 rupees. In the case of a 60-page booklet, the normal fee for replacement is set at 6000 rupees, and the Tatkaal fee will be 8500 rupees. These substantial increases highlight the importance of keeping travel documents safe and secure.
Revised Rates for Minors and Other Documents
Minors under the age of 18 will also see a change in their application fees. For a fresh or re-issued 36-page passport for a minor, the normal fee is now 1750 rupees, and the Tatkaal fee is 4250 rupees. If a minor's 36-page passport is lost or damaged, the re-issuance fee under the normal category will be 4250 rupees, and under Tatkaal, it will be 6750 rupees. Also, fees for other essential documents have been updated. The fee for a Certificate of Identity is now 1000 rupees. Other services such as Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), Surrender Certificate, Global Entry Program (GEP) Verification, and other passport-based certifications will now cost 750 rupees.
International Applications and Validity Rules
For Indian citizens applying for passports from abroad, the fees have been set in US Dollars. For instance, a 36-page normal passport application from overseas will cost 125 dollars, while the Tatkaal service will be priced at 250 dollars. Regarding the validity of these documents, passports issued to adults (18 years and above) will continue to have a validity of 10 years. For minors under 18, the validity will remain 5 years or until they reach the age of 18, whichever comes first. A notable relief is the 10 percent discount on fees for fresh passport applications for children up to 8 years of age and senior citizens over 60 years. However, it's important to note that this discount applies only to fresh applications and not to re-issues.
Context of the Fee Hike and Citizenship Debate
This fee hike comes at a time when there is an ongoing debate regarding the status of the passport as a proof of citizenship. The government recently clarified that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and doesn't serve as the final proof of citizenship. This has led to some confusion among the public regarding which documents are considered definitive proof of citizenship if major documents like the passport or Aadhaar don't meet the criteria. Despite these debates, the Ministry of External Affairs has proceeded with the notification to increase fees. Applicants who wish to avail of the current lower rates have until June 30, 2026, to submit their applications, as the new rates will be strictly enforced from July 1, 2026.