NEW DELHI — The Central Government has announced a major revision in passport application charges, marking the first significant increase in more than a decade. The new fee structure, notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, will come into effect from July 1, 2026.
According to the revised rules, applicants seeking a fresh passport, passport renewal, Tatkal passport, Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), or replacement of lost or damaged passports will have to pay higher fees than before. Officials say the revision is intended to reflect increased operational costs and improvements in passport services.
New Passport Fees From July 1
For a standard 36-page passport, the normal application fee has increased from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500.
Applicants using the Tatkal service for the same passport will now pay ₹5,000, compared to the previous ₹3,500.
For a 60-page passport, the regular fee has increased from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500, while the Tatkal fee has risen from ₹4,000 to ₹6,000.
Other Services Also Become Costlier
The revised notification also affects several other passport-related services.
Higher charges will apply to:
- Replacement of lost passports
- Replacement of damaged passports
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
- Emergency travel documents
- Certain miscellaneous passport services
The government has also introduced separate fee categories for adults and minors under the amended rules.
First Major Revision Since 2012
Officials noted that passport charges had remained unchanged since 2012.
Over the past fourteen years, passport infrastructure has expanded considerably through initiatives such as:
- Passport Seva Kendras
- Digital application systems
- Online appointment services
- E-passport rollout
- Faster verification processes
The government says the revised pricing reflects the cost of maintaining and upgrading these services.
Applicants Advised To Apply Before July 1
People planning to obtain or renew their passports before international travel are being advised to complete their applications before July 1, if they wish to pay the current fee structure.
Applications submitted on or after July 1 will automatically fall under the revised charges, regardless of appointment dates.
Looking Ahead
The revised passport fee structure represents one of the biggest changes to India's passport system in recent years. While the government says the increase is necessary to support modern passport services and improved infrastructure, the announcement has generated discussion among frequent travelers and applicants due to the sharp rise in costs.
The new rates will officially become applicable across the country from July 1, 2026.