Indian Passport Price Hike: Revised Normal and Tatkal Fees Announced for 2026; Check New Rates Here
India's MEA has notified higher passport fees effective July 1, 2026. A standard 36-page adult passport will now cost INR 2,500 (Normal) or INR 5,000 (Tatkal). Prices have also risen for minors, 60-page booklets, and replacements. The MEA clarified that a passport is primarily a travel document, not definitive, standalone proof of citizenship.
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International travel is set to become more expensive for Indian citizens from next month. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially notified a revised fee structure for fresh passports, Tatkal applications, and ancillary passport services under the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. Scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, the updated schedule introduces hikes of up to 75 per cent across various documentation categories.
New Fee Structure for Adult and Minor Applicants
Under the revised guidelines, a standard 36-page ordinary passport for adult applicants aged 18 and above will now cost INR 2,500 under the normal processing stream, rising from the previous rate of INR 1,500. Those requiring expedited processing via the Tatkal scheme will be charged INR 5,000. Frequent international travellers opting for a larger 60-page booklet will face revised fees of INR 3,500 for normal applications and INR 6,000 for Tatkal orders. ‘Passport Has Never Been Proof of Citizenship’: Govt Clarifies Stand, Cites Passports Act and Bombay High Court Rulings.
Centre Hikes Passport Fees From July 1
Centre hikes fees for Passport application; ₹2,500 for an ordinary fresh passport or reissue of passport containing 36 pages; ₹5,000 Tatkal fee. pic.twitter.com/GIeeC0eEYf
— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) June 25, 2026
The government has similarly modified the schedule for minor applicants under the age of 18. A fresh 36-page passport for a minor is now priced at INR 1,750 under the normal category and INR 4,250 under the expedited Tatkal channel.
| Category & Document Type | Normal Fee | Tatkal Fee |
| Adult (18+): Fresh / Reissue (36 Pages) | INR 2,500 | INR 5,000 |
| Adult (18+): Fresh / Reissue (60 Pages) | INR 3,500 | INR 6,000 |
| Minor (<18): Fresh / Reissue (36 Pages) | INR 1,750 | INR 4,250 |
| Lost/Damaged Replacement: 36-Page Booklet | INR 5,000 | INR 7,500 |
| Lost/Damaged Replacement: 60-Page Booklet | INR 6,000 | INR 8,500 |
| Minor Lost/Damaged Replacement: 36 Pages | INR 4,250 | INR 6,750 |
Replacement and Miscellaneous Service Hikes
The financial penalty for replacing lost, stolen, or damaged travel booklets has seen a sharp increase. A replacement 36-page passport will now incur a normal fee of INR 5,000 and a Tatkal fee of INR 7,500. For a replacement 60-page booklet, citizens will have to pay INR 6,000 under the normal system and INR 8,500 if processed under Tatkal. Minors requiring a replacement for a lost or damaged booklet will be charged INR 4,250 for regular processing and INR 6,750 under Tatkal. The price adjustments also extend to non-booklet administrative items. Obtaining a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC), a Surrender Certificate, or a Global Entry Programme verification will now require a flat fee of INR 750 within India or USD 40 if processed at missions abroad. Additionally, a Certificate of Identity is fixed at INR 1,000 domestically and USD 50 internationally, while an Emergency Certificate compiled abroad will cost USD 15. Which Documents Actually Prove Indian Citizenship Now That Passports Don’t?
Clarification on Passport Legal Status
The formal fee revision follows a highly publicised statement issued by the MEA during the concurrent Passport Seva Divas celebrations. Addressing ongoing public discourse, the Ministry explicitly reiterated that a passport remains primarily a travel document and should not be legally interpreted as standalone proof of Indian citizenship. Officials clarified that while Indian passports are only granted following stringent police verification and civic due diligence, their fundamental lawful purpose is to enable international border crossings and certify the holder's nationality to foreign states, rather than acting as an absolute citizenship certificate.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 08:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
