Government Increases Passport Application Fees; Here's What Applicants Need to Know Before Applying
Passport Fee Update 2026: Planning to apply for a new passport or renew your existing one? You may need to set aside a larger budget. The Government of India has revised passport application fees, and the new charges will come into effect from July 1, 2026.
The revised fee structure has been introduced through the Passport (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which amend the Passport Rules, 1980. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has updated Schedule IV of the rules, increasing fees for fresh passports, renewals, Tatkaal services, and replacement of lost or damaged passports.
Here is a detailed look at the revised passport charges and other important changes.
New Passport Application FeesApplicants opting for a 36-page passport will now pay:
| Fresh Passport / Reissue (Normal) | ₹2,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Fresh Passport / Reissue (Tatkaal) | ₹5,000 | ₹3,500 |
Those applying for a 60-page passport will pay:
| Fresh Passport / Reissue (Normal) | ₹3,500 | ₹2,000 |
| Fresh Passport / Reissue (Tatkaal) | ₹6,000 | ₹4,000 |
These revised charges apply to adult applicants as well as minors aged 15 to 18 years who choose to apply under the adult passport category.
Replacement of Lost or Damaged Passports Becomes More ExpensiveThe highest increase has been made in the fees for replacing lost, stolen, or damaged passports.
36-Page Passport| Replacement (Normal) | ₹5,000 |
| Replacement (Tatkaal) | ₹7,500 |
| Replacement (Normal) | ₹6,000 |
| Replacement (Tatkaal) | ₹8,500 |
For minors requiring replacement of a lost or damaged 36-page passport, the revised fees are:
Normal application: ₹4,250
Tatkaal application: ₹6,750
The government has also revised charges for several passport-related services.
The following services will now cost ₹750 each:
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)
Surrender Certificate
Global Entry Program Verification
Other related certificates
The fee for a Certificate of Identity has been increased to ₹1,000.
For services provided abroad:
Emergency Certificate: US$15
Certificate of Identity: US$50
Tatkaal service will not be available for these overseas certificate services.
10% Fee Discount for Certain ApplicantsThe government has also announced a fee concession for specific categories of applicants.
A 10% discount on passport application fees will be available for:
Children up to 8 years of age
Senior citizens aged 60 years and above
However, this concession applies only to fresh passport applications. It will not be available for passport reissue or renewal requests.
Passport Validity Remains UnchangedAlthough passport fees have been revised, the government has confirmed that passport validity periods remain unchanged.
The validity continues to be:
Adults: 10 years
Minors: 5 years or until they attain the age of 18 years, whichever is earlier
The Ministry of External Affairs has also reiterated that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document.
Its primary purpose is to facilitate international travel and establish the holder's identity abroad. While citizenship verification is part of the passport issuance process, the passport itself is not legally treated as a standalone certificate of Indian citizenship.
Should You Apply Before July 1?Individuals planning to obtain a new passport, renew an existing one, or replace a lost passport may consider completing the application process before the revised fee structure takes effect on July 1, 2026, if they are eligible to do so.
Applicants should also review the updated charges carefully before choosing between the normal and Tatkaal processing options to avoid unexpected expenses.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Passport fees, rules, and eligibility conditions are governed by notifications issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and may be revised from time to time. Applicants should verify the latest fee structure through the official Passport Seva Portal before submitting an application.
