Passport Fees Surge: What You Need to Know About the New Charges
Increased Passport Fees Announced
New Delhi: Starting Wednesday, the cost of obtaining a passport has risen following the Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) introduction of a new fee schedule for passport services.
The updated fees affect various services, including new applications, renewals, Tatkaal services, and replacements for lost or damaged passports, as well as Police Clearance Certificates (PCC). This fee increase applies to applications made both domestically and at Indian embassies and consulates abroad.
For adults, the standard fee for a new 36-page passport or renewal has increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500. The cost for a 60-page passport has risen from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500.
Under the Tatkaal scheme, the fee for a 36-page adult passport has jumped from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000, while the 60-page passport fee has increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000.
These new charges will take effect from July 1, 2026, for applications submitted in India or abroad.
Individuals needing a replacement passport due to loss or damage will now pay Rs 5,000 for a 36-page passport, up from Rs 3,000. For a 60-page replacement, the fee has increased to Rs 6,000 from Rs 3,500.
In the Tatkaal category, the fee for replacing a 60-page passport has risen from Rs 5,500 to Rs 8,500.
Children under 18 will also see increased costs for passport services. The fee for a 36-page fresh or reissued passport for minors has gone up from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,750. In the Tatkaal category, this fee has increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,250.
For minors needing a replacement passport due to loss or damage, the new fee is set at Rs 4,250, while the Tatkaal fee for this category is now Rs 6,750.
Miscellaneous passport services, including PCC and other related certificates, have seen a fee increase from Rs 500 to Rs 750.
The revised fee structure also encompasses charges for surrender certificates and other passport-related documentation.
Indian citizens applying for passports outside the country will adhere to a different fee structure. For instance, the fee for a fresh 36-page passport application abroad is set at $125, while the Tatkaal fee for the same application is $250.
This updated overseas fee structure will apply to Indian citizens seeking passport services through foreign missions and consulates.
A 10% discount on new passport applications will still be available for children under eight and senior citizens over 60, although this discount does not extend to reissue applications.