Planning an overseas holiday, university admission, or urgent business trip? The first expense may now be higher than expected. Indian passport fees changed from July 1, 2026, after the Ministry of External Affairs notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026.
The revision covers fresh passports, reissue applications, Tatkaal services, replacements for lost or damaged passports, and Police Clearance Certificates. Applicants who began planning before July but paid after the effective date should follow the amount displayed online by Passport Seva, not the older fee saved in notes or screenshots.
Adult applicants seeking a normal 36-page passport now pay ₹2,500 instead of ₹1,500. The price rise has quickly become a talking point among students, frequent travellers, and families preparing for international trips. The official Passport Seva fee structure should be checked before payment because the payable amount depends on booklet size, age, and service category.
Why Passport Fees Changed From July 2026
The government replaced the earlier fee schedule through a notification dated June 25, 2026, with the new rates becoming effective on July 1. The revision applies to passport services used within India and also creates a separate schedule for applications submitted abroad.
The biggest headline is the jump in ordinary and fast-track charges. A normal adult 36-page fresh or reissued passport increased by ₹1,000, while the corresponding Tatkaal application rose to ₹5,000. Akashvani News also shared the change through its official passport fee update on X, confirming the new 36-page and 60-page rates.
Here are the main changes applicants should note:
- Adult 36-page fresh or reissue: ₹2,500 normal and ₹5,000 Tatkaal.
- Adult 60-page fresh or reissue: ₹3,500 normal and ₹6,000 Tatkaal.
- Minor 36-page fresh or reissue: ₹1,750 normal and ₹4,250 Tatkaal.
- Lost or damaged adult passport replacement: ₹5,000 to ₹8,500, depending on pages and urgency.
- Police Clearance Certificate and similar services: ₹750 instead of ₹500.
Fresh Passport Fees For Adults And Minors
An adult applying for a fresh 36-page passport with ten-year validity now pays ₹2,500 under the normal category. Those who travel frequently and require a 60-page booklet pay ₹3,500. The same basic fees apply when an adult seeks reissue because the passport expired, has limited validity, or has no visa pages remaining.
For applicants below 18 years, a fresh or reissued 36-page passport costs ₹1,750 normally. Its validity is generally five years or until the applicant turns 18, whichever arrives earlier. Children aged up to eight years and citizens above 60 receive a 10% discount only on fresh applications, not reissue requests.
Applicants can enter their age, booklet type, and service category in the official Passport Seva fee calculator. This avoids relying on older screenshots, social posts, or travel agent quotations that may still display pre-July prices.
Tatkaal And Reissue Charges Can Rise Sharply
Tatkaal remains the costlier route for applicants seeking faster processing. A 36-page adult passport now costs ₹5,000 under Tatkaal, while a 60-page booklet costs ₹6,000. For minors, the revised Tatkaal charge for a 36-page fresh or reissue application is ₹4,250.
Lost or damaged passports attract higher replacement charges. Adults pay ₹5,000 normally or ₹7,500 under Tatkaal for a 36-page replacement. A 60-page replacement costs ₹6,000 normally and ₹8,500 under Tatkaal. A minor’s lost or damaged 36-page replacement costs ₹4,250 normally or ₹6,750 under Tatkaal.
A reissue is required for expiry, exhausted pages, changed personal particulars, damage, or loss. Passport Seva uses the term reissue rather than renewal, even when a booklet has expired. Applicants should use the official reissue document adviser before booking.
Tatkaal eligibility also depends on the case and supporting records, so the Tatkaal document list deserves attention before payment. The portal states that the full applicable Tatkaal fee must be paid online while booking the appointment.
What Applicants Should Do Before Paying
Start through the official fresh and reissue application page, select the correct normal or Tatkaal category, and verify the displayed amount before confirming payment. Do not choose Tatkaal merely because travel is approaching; first, confirm eligibility, documents, and appointment availability.
The fee revision arrives as India expands Passport Seva Programme 2.0 and chip-based e-passports. The Ministry said the upgraded programme and e-passport rollout had reached all 37 Passport Offices, linking the latest fee change with a wider digital shift in passport delivery.
Existing passports remain valid until expiry and do not need replacement, only because newer chip-enabled booklets are being issued. Applicants should therefore focus on validity, available visa pages, and upcoming travel dates rather than replacing a usable passport early.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Is The New Fresh Passport Fee In India?
Adults pay ₹2,500 for a normal 36-page fresh passport application from July 1, 2026, onwards.
2. How Much Does An Adult Tatkaal Passport Cost?
A 36-page adult Tatkaal passport costs ₹5,000, while a 60-page booklet costs ₹6,000 after revision.
3. Are Passport Reissue Charges Different From Fresh Passport Charges?
Normal reissue fees match fresh passport fees for the same age, pages, and category selected.
4. What Is The Revised Passport Fee For Minors?
A minor’s 36-page fresh or reissue passport costs ₹1,750 normally and ₹4,250 under Tatkaal service.
5. Has The Police Clearance Certificate Fee Also Increased?
Yes, the Police Clearance Certificate fee increased from ₹500 to ₹750 under the revised schedule.
