Government Increases Passport Fees Effective July 2026
Revised Passport Fee Structure Announced
File image of Regional Passport Office in New Delhi (Photo: X)
New Delhi, Jun 26: The government has updated the passport fee structure by amending the Passports Rules, 1980. The application fee for a standard fresh passport with 36 pages has been raised from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500.
A notification issued on June 20 by the Ministry of External Affairs states that the standard fee for a fresh passport or reissue of a passport with 36 pages will now be ₹2,500, while the tatkal fee will be ₹5,000.
This new fee structure will take effect from July 1, 2026.
Currently, the fee for a fresh passport or reissue of a 36-page passport is ₹1,500, and the tatkal fee is ₹3,500.
Additionally, the fee for a fresh passport or reissue of a 60-page passport has increased from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500, with the tatkal fee now set at ₹6,000, up from ₹4,000.
For those applying for a passport due to loss or damage, the fee for a 36-page passport has been revised from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000, while the tatkal fee has increased from ₹5,000 to ₹7,500.
For a 60-page passport in similar circumstances, the new normal fee is ₹6,000 (previously ₹3,500), and the tatkal fee is now ₹8,500, up from ₹5,500.
The validity period for passports issued under this category for applicants aged 18 and above, as well as minors aged 15 to 18, will not exceed 10 years, as per the notification.
A 10% discount on passport fees will be available for fresh applications (not for reissues) for minors up to eight years old and senior citizens over 60 years old, according to the notification signed by B S Mubarak, Joint Secretary and Chief Passport Officer in the MEA.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967 (15 of 1967), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Passports Rules, 1980, namely -- 1. (1) These rules may be called the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. (2) They shall come into force with effect from the 1st day of July, 2026," the notification stated.
The government also provided a revised schedule that will replace "Schedule IV to the Passports Rules, 1980."
This updated schedule includes two sub-categories: applicants aged 18 and above/minors aged 15 to 18 years, and minor applicants (under 18 years).
For minor applicants (under 18 years), the fee for a fresh passport or reissue of a 36-page passport will be ₹1,750, while the tatkal fee will be ₹4,250. For a passport issued due to loss or damage, the normal fee will be ₹4,250, and the tatkal fee will be ₹6,750.
The validity for passports issued under this segment will be five years or until the applicant turns 18, whichever comes first.
According to Schedule IV of the Passports Rules, 1980, the fee for issuing a fresh passport or reissuing a passport of 36 pages for minors under 18 years, valid for five years or until they turn 18, is ₹1,000, while the tatkal fee is ₹3,000.
The last amendment to the Passport Rules, 1980 was made via a notification dated February 24, 2025.