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The revised fee schedule will take effect from July 1, with higher charges applicable for fresh passports, Tatkal applications, replacements of lost or damaged passports.
The notification comes amid renewed public attention on the role of passports after the Ministry of External Affairs clarified this week that a passport is, in law, a travel document—not a standalone proof of citizenship. (IMAGE: NEWS18 FILE)
Applying for a passport will cost more from July 1, with the Centre notifying revised fees for fresh passports, Tatkal applications and several passport-related services under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026.
According to a notification issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, an ordinary 36-page passport for applicants aged 18 years and above will cost Rs 2,500 under the normal category and Rs 5,000 under the Tatkal scheme.
Applicants opting for a 60-page passport, generally preferred by frequent international travellers, will have to pay Rs 3,500 under the normal process and Rs 6,000 under Tatkal.
The revised schedule also increases the cost of replacing lost or damaged passports. A replacement 36-page passport will cost Rs 5,000 under the normal category and Rs 7,500 under Tatkal, while a 60-page booklet will cost Rs 6,000 and Rs 8,500, respectively.
The revised fee schedule comes a day after the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated that a passport is primarily a **travel document** and should not be treated as proof of Indian citizenship. The clarification, made during Passport Seva Divas celebrations, underscored that while passports are issued only after extensive verification and due diligence, their legal purpose is to facilitate international travel and attest the holder’s nationality abroad rather than serve as a standalone citizenship certificate.
For minor applicants (below 18 years), a fresh 36-page passport will cost Rs 1,750 under the normal process and Rs 4,250 under Tatkal. A replacement for a lost or damaged passport has been priced at Rs 4,250 under the normal category and Rs 6,750 under Tatkal.
| Service | Normal Fee | Tatkal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh/Reissue Passport (36 pages) | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Fresh/Reissue Passport (60 pages) | ₹3,500 | ₹6,000 |
| Lost/Damaged Passport (36 pages) | ₹5,000 | ₹7,500 |
| Lost/Damaged Passport (60 pages) | ₹6,000 | ₹8,500 |
| Minor Passport (36 pages) | ₹1,750 | ₹4,250 |
| Lost/Damaged Minor Passport | ₹4,250 | ₹6,750 |
| Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) | ₹750 | N/A |
| Certificate of Identity | ₹1,000 | N/A |
The notification also revises charges for other passport-related services.
An Emergency Certificate issued abroad will cost USD 15, while a Certificate of Identity has been priced at Rs 1,000 in India and USD 50 abroad.
The fee for obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), Surrender Certificate, Global Entry Programme verification, and other miscellaneous passport-related certificates has been fixed at Rs 750 in India and USD 40 abroad.
The MEA said the revised fee schedule will come into effect from July 1, 2026.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has c…Read More
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