Passport Fees Increased From July 1: Check New Charges For Fresh, Tatkal Applications

The passport application process in India will become more expensive from July 1, 2026, after the Central government announced revised charges for fresh passports, Tatkal services and several related passport facilities. The new fee structure, notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, applies to fresh applications, reissues, lost or damaged passports, and other passport-related services.

Passport Fees Revised Across Categories

Under the updated fee schedule, adults applying for a standard 36-page passport will now have to pay Rs 2,500 under the normal process, while the Tatkal service will cost Rs 5,000. Applicants opting for the larger 60-page passport booklet, commonly chosen by frequent international travellers, will be charged Rs 3,500 under the regular category and Rs 6,000 under the Tatkal scheme.

The revised rates also apply to passport reissues under the respective categories.

Replacement Of Lost Or Damaged Passports Gets Costlier

The government has also increased the charges for replacing lost or damaged passports. A replacement 36-page passport will now cost Rs 5,000 under the normal category and Rs 7,500 through the Tatkal route.

Similarly, applicants seeking a replacement 60-page passport will have to pay Rs 6,000 under the standard process and Rs 8,500 under Tatkal.

For children below 18 years of age, a fresh 36-page passport will cost Rs 1,750 under the regular category and Rs 4,250 under Tatkal. If a minor's passport is lost or damaged, the replacement fee has been fixed at Rs 4,250 under the normal process and Rs 6,750 under Tatkal.

MEA Clarifies Passport's Legal Status

The revised fee notification comes shortly after the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that a passport is primarily a travel document and not a standalone proof of Indian citizenship.

The clarification was issued during Passport Seva Divas celebrations, where the ministry explained that although passports are issued only after thorough verification and due diligence, their legal purpose is to facilitate international travel and establish the holder's nationality abroad, rather than serve as conclusive proof of citizenship.

The statement drew public attention amid discussions surrounding citizenship documentation and passport verification procedures.

Revised Passport Fee Structure

The revised passport charges effective from July 1, 2026, are as follows:

• Fresh/Reissue Passport (36 pages): Rs 2,500 (Normal), Rs 5,000 (Tatkal)
• Fresh/Reissue Passport (60 pages): Rs 3,500 (Normal), Rs 6,000 (Tatkal)
• Lost/Damaged Passport (36 pages): Rs 5,000 (Normal), Rs 7,500 (Tatkal)
• Lost/Damaged Passport (60 pages): Rs 6,000 (Normal), Rs 8,500 (Tatkal)
• Fresh Passport for Minors (36 pages): Rs 1,750 (Normal), Rs 4,250 (Tatkal)
• Lost/Damaged Passport for Minors: Rs 4,250 (Normal), Rs 6,750 (Tatkal)
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): Rs 750
• Certificate of Identity: Rs 1,000
• Emergency Certificate issued abroad: USD 15
• Surrender Certificate, Global Entry Programme verification and other miscellaneous passport-related certificates: Rs 750 in India and USD 40 abroad.

The Ministry of External Affairs said the revised fee schedule will come into effect from July 1, 2026.