Summary of this article
Passport application fees revised upward from July 1, 2026.
Tatkal passport charges increased for both 36-page and 60-page booklets.
Children and senior citizens get 10 per cent fee discount.
The central government has revised passport application fees by amending the Passports Rules, 1980. The new fee structure will come into effect from July 1, 2026, raising charges for fresh passports, reissued passports, and Tatkal services.
Fresh And Tatkal Passport Charges Increased
Under the revised rules, the application fee for a fresh passport or reissue with 36 pages has been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500. Applicants opting for the Tatkal service for a 36-page passport will now have to pay Rs 5,000 instead of the earlier Rs 3,500.
The fee for a fresh passport or reissue with 60 pages has also been revised. Applicants will now have to pay Rs 3,500, compared to the earlier fee of Rs 2,000. Those choosing the Tatkal service for a 60-page passport will have to pay Rs 6,000 instead of Rs 4,000.
The government notified that the revised fee structure will apply to all eligible applications submitted on or after July 1.
Validity Of Passports
The amended rules also reiterate the validity period for passports. Ordinary passports issued to adults will continue to be valid for up to 10 years.
For applicants below 18 years of age, passports issued under the relevant category will be valid for five years or until the applicant reaches the age of 18 years, whichever is earlier.
The notification clarifies that these validity provisions continue under the amended rules without any change.
Discount For Eligible Applicants
The government has retained the concession available for certain categories of applicants. According to the notification, a 10 per cent discount in passport fees will be provided for fresh passport applications submitted by children up to the age of eight years and senior citizens above the age of 60 years.
The concession applies only to fresh passport applications and does not extend to passport reissues or Tatkal applications.
MEA Clarifies Passport's Purpose
The fee revision comes days after the MEA clarified that an Indian passport is a travel document and should not be treated as conclusive proof of citizenship.
The ministry has clarified that the primary purpose of a passport is to facilitate international travel and establish the identity of its holder outside the country. It noted that citizenship is determined under the provisions of the Citizenship Act and related laws, and not by the issuance of a passport alone.
The amended rules have been notified under Section 24 of the Passports Act, 1967. From July 1, all eligible applicants will have to pay the revised fees while submitting passport applications under the ordinary or Tatkal categories.
