How To Apply for a Passport Online: Step-by-Step Guide Ahead of July 1 Fee Hike
Applying for an Indian passport requires online registration, form completion, and payment via the Passport Seva portal before attending a mandatory in-person biometrics appointment. From July 1, fees rise to INR 2,500 for a standard adult booklet and INR 3,500 for a 60-page version. The MEA notes that passport serves primarily as a travel document.
Indian citizens planning to apply for a fresh passport will face a different financial layout next month following the central government's first passport fee revision in roughly 14 years. Notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the updated pricing schedule under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, officially goes into effect on July 1. For adults, the baseline cost for a standard 36-page ordinary passport under the normal category will increase to INR 2,500, up from the long-standing rate of INR 1,500.
While the administrative costs have risen, the digital pipeline for submitting applications remains integrated through the government's official Passport Seva system. Navigating the portal accurately is essential to securing an appointment and avoiding processing delays. Indian Passport Price Hike: Revised Normal and Tatkal Fees Announced for 2026; Check New Rates Here.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Fresh Passport
The formal application process is largely digitised and must be initiated through the central online portal:
- Visit the official Passport Seva Online Portal (passportindia.gov.in). Click on the "Register Now" link, select your local Regional Passport Office (RPO) based on your current residential address, and complete the sign-up form to generate your login credentials.
- Log in to the portal using your newly created user ID. Select the link labelled "Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport". You can fill out the form directly online or download the soft copy to fill out offline and upload later. Ensure names, parental details, and addresses align exactly with your physical supporting documents.
- Once the application form is saved and submitted, navigate to the "View Saved/Submitted Applications" screen. Click on the "Pay and Schedule Appointment" link. Online payment is mandatory to secure an appointment slot at a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).
- Print your appointment confirmation receipt and report to the designated PSK at your scheduled date and time. Bring your original documents (such as Aadhaar, PAN card, or birth certificate) along with self-attested photocopies. Your biometrics and photographs will be captured during this visit.
Understanding the New July 1 Passport Fee Matrix
The restructuring affects normal processing times as well as the expedited Tatkal channel. Frequent international travellers opting for the larger 60-page booklet to avoid running out of visa pages will see an adjusted regular fee of INR 3,500.
| Category & Document Type (Adult Applicants) | Revised Normal Fee | Revised Tatkal Fee |
| Fresh Passport (36-Page Ordinary Booklet) | INR 2,500 | INR 5,000 |
| Fresh Passport (60-Page Jumbo Booklet) | INR 3,500 | INR 6,000 |
| Minor Passport (Under 18 Years / 36-Page) | INR 1,750 | INR 4,250 |
Vital Documentation and Final Verification
Applicants must satisfy three primary verification pillars when attending their in-person appointment: proof of present address, proof of date of birth, and documentation confirming eligibility for the Non-ECR (Emigration Check Not Required) category. Following the successful processing of documents at the PSK, the file is forwarded to local police jurisdictions for mandatory field address verification. ‘Passport Has Never Been Proof of Citizenship’: Govt Clarifies Stand, Cites Passports Act and Bombay High Court Rulings.
The MEA recently underlined the functional nature of the document during a concurrent public briefing, reiterating that while a passport is a heavily guarded and rigorously verified legal instrument, it serves fundamentally as a travel document to certify nationality abroad rather than acting as a standalone certificate of citizenship.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 09:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
