passport fees in India 2026 went up on July 1, 2026, the first change in 14 years. If you’re applying for a passport online in India any time soon, whether it’s a fresh application, a renewal, or an urgent Tatkal passport, here’s exactly what you’ll pay under the new passport rules 2026, and a full walkthrough of how to apply.
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What Changed: New Passport Fees in India 2026
The Ministry of External Affairs revised the fee schedule through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified on June 25 and effective from July 1. The last update was back in 2012, so this is a significant jump across every category: fresh applications, renewals, Tatkal passport fees, minors, and lost or damaged replacements.
Standard 36-Page Passport
| Category | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | ₹1,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Tatkal | ₹3,500 | ₹5,000 |
Jumbo 60-Page Passport
| Category | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | ₹2,000 | ₹3,500 |
| Tatkal | ₹4,000 | ₹6,000 |
Minor Passport (Under 18), 36-Page
| Category | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | ~₹1,000 | ₹1,750 |
| Tatkal | ~₹3,000 | ₹4,250 |
Lost or Damaged Passport Replacement (36-Page)
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Normal | ₹5,000 |
| Tatkal | ₹7,500 |
A flat ₹500 Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) fee applies on top of every application, Tatkal included. One discount survives the revision: fresh applications (not renewals) for children up to age 8 and senior citizens above 60 still get 10% off.
Why Passport Fees Went Up in 2026
Fees hadn’t moved since 2012. In the meantime, India rolled out chip-enabled e-passports with stronger security features, and the Passport Seva network passport fees in India 2026 expanded with more centers, tighter cybersecurity, and faster digital processing. The government’s reasoning is that the old fee structure hadn’t kept pace with the actual cost of running that infrastructure.
Two things often get confused with this fee hike but aren’t part of it. The e-passport chip rollout started in May 2025 and became standard by November 2025, that’s old news. And the birth certificate requirement for date-of-birth proof only applies to applicants born on or after October 1, 2023; anyone born earlier can still use a PAN card, school certificate, or driving licence.
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What This Means If You’re Applying Soon
Spread across a passport’s 10-year validity, the extra ₹1,000 works out to roughly ₹100 a year, less than a single visa fee. Not a reason to panic. But if your passport expires within the next year, or you already have international travel planned for 2026 or 2027, there’s no upside to waiting. Your fee is locked in the passport fees in India 2026 moment you pay online, not on your appointment date or issue date.
How to Apply for a Passport Online in India: Step-by-Step
Here’s the current process for applying for a passport online in passport fees in India 2026, whether it’s your first passport or a renewal.
- Register on the Passport Seva Online Portal (passportindia.gov.in) or the mPassport Seva app.
- Log in and select “Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport.”
- Fill out the application form, choosing 36-page or 60-page, and fresh or reissue.
- Pay the fee online via credit/debit card, net banking, or SBI challan. This step locks in your rate.
- Book an appointment at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office PSK (POPSK).
- Visit in person with original documents: proof of identity, address, and date of birth. Aadhaar covers both address and DOB proof for most applicants and speeds things up considerably.
- Police verification happens either before or after issuance depending on your application category.
- Receive your passport via Speed Post, typically within 30 to 45 days for normal processing, or 1 to 3 working days under Tatkal once your application status shows “Granted.”
Documents Required for Passport Application
- Proof of address: Aadhaar, voter ID, utility bill, or rent agreement
- Proof of date of birth: birth certificate (mandatory if born on or after October 1, 2023), PAN card, school certificate, or driving licence
- Passport-size photographs (as specified on the portal)
- Additional annexures for minors, Tatkal applicants, or name changes, as applicable
If you’re planning international travel and want to make sure your documents are in order before your PSK appointment, this is exactly where our team can help, right alongside your visa and itinerary planning.
FAQs: Passport Fees and Application Process in India 2026
Do the new passport fees apply if I already booked my appointment? No. What determines your fee is the date you pay online, not your appointment date. If you paid before July 1, 2026, you’re still on the old rate.
What is the Tatkal passport fee in 2026? ₹5,000 for a 36-page passport and ₹6,000 for a 60-page passport, passport fees in India 2026 both up from the previous Tatkal rates. Add the ₹500 PSK fee on top.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for a passport application? No. Aadhaar works for identity and address verification and makes the process faster, but it isn’t accepted as proof of date of birth.
Can I still use my old passport if it doesn’t have a chip? Yes. Older non-chip passports stay valid until they expire. You don’t need to upgrade early.
How long does it take to get a passport in India? Normal processing takes about 30 to 45 days. Tatkal typically takes 1 to 3 working days after your PSK visit, assuming police verification isn’t a blocker.
Do these revised fees apply to Indians applying from abroad? Yes. Indian Missions and Posts overseas have revised fees too, charged in US dollars, though the exact amounts differ from the domestic rates listed above.
I need a passport for an upcoming international trip. Where do I start? Start with the passport itself, since your travel dates depend on how quickly it comes through. Once that’s sorted, visa timelines and your itinerary come next, and that’s exactly where TourJunket comes in. Reach out and we’ll map out your passport, visa, and trip timeline together, so nothing holds up your travel plans.
Read More : – Passport application fee to go up from July 1
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