Passport fees hiked from July 1: New MEA rates for fresh, Tatkaal, renewal
Synopsis
Passport services in India got significantly costlier from 1 July 2026 as the MEA rolled out its first major fee revision in years — hiking rates across every category, from a standard adult renewal to Tatkaal replacements. For a family of four applying under Tatkaal, the cumulative jump could run into thousands of rupees.
Key Takeaways
The MEA implemented a revised passport fee structure effective 1 July 2026 , covering all categories of passport services.
A standard 36-page adult passport (fresh or renewal) now costs ₹2,500 , up from ₹1,500 .
Tatkaal fees for a 60-page adult passport have risen from ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 ; Tatkaal replacement for 60-page is now ₹8,500 .
Minor applicants face a hike to ₹1,750 (normal 36-page) and ₹4,250 (Tatkaal 36-page).
PCC and miscellaneous service fees have increased from ₹500 to ₹750 .
A 10% discount on fresh applications continues for children below 8 years and senior citizens above 60 years , but not on reissues.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) implemented a revised passport fee structure on 1 July 2026, making passport services costlier across all categories — including fresh applications, renewals, Tatkaal processing, lost or damaged passport replacements, and Police Clearance Certificates (PCC). The new rates apply to applications submitted both within India and at Indian missions and consulates abroad.
New Rates for Adult Passports
For adult applicants, the fee for a standard 36-page fresh passport or renewal has risen from ₹1,500 to ₹2,500. The fee for a 60-page adult passport (normal category) has been revised upward from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500.
Under the Tatkaal scheme, a 36-page adult passport now costs ₹5,000, up from ₹3,500, while a 60-page Tatkaal passport has been hiked from ₹4,000 to ₹6,000. For replacement of a lost or damaged 36-page passport, the charge has increased from ₹3,000 to ₹5,000, and for a 60-page replacement, from ₹3,500 to ₹6,000. The steepest hike in this segment is for a 60-page Tatkaal replacement, which now costs ₹8,500 compared to ₹5,500 earlier.
Higher Charges for Minor Applicants
Children below 18 years of age will also face increased fees. A fresh or reissue 36-page passport for minors under the normal category now costs ₹1,750, up from ₹1,000. Under Tatkaal, the same passport for a minor has been revised from ₹3,000 to ₹4,250.
For replacement of a lost or damaged minor passport in the normal category, the new fee is ₹4,250. In the Tatkaal category for minors, the replacement fee has been set at ₹6,750.
PCC and Miscellaneous Services
The fee for miscellaneous passport services — including Police Clearance Certificates (PCC) and other passport-linked documentation such as surrender certificates — has been raised from ₹500 to ₹750.
Overseas Applicants and Discounts
Indian citizens applying through missions and consulates abroad will follow a separate fee schedule. A fresh 36-page passport application abroad under the normal category is now fixed at $125, while the same under Tatkaal will cost $250.
Notably, a 10% discount on fresh passport applications will continue for children below eight years of age and senior citizens above 60 years. However, this concession does not extend to reissue applications.
What This Means for Applicants
The revised structure represents the first significant passport fee revision in several years and affects millions of applicants annually. With India's passport issuance volumes running in the tens of millions, the hike is expected to have a broad impact on travel planning timelines and costs — particularly for families with multiple applicants or those seeking urgent Tatkaal processing. Applicants are advised to verify current rates on the official Passport Seva portal before submitting applications.
Point of View
Which are disproportionately used by lower-income applicants who cannot afford to wait or who have lost documents. A blanket percentage hike with no means-tested relief, beyond the existing senior-citizen and under-eight concession, signals that the government has prioritised cost recovery over accessibility. With India's passport issuance volumes among the highest in the world, even a modest per-application increase generates substantial additional revenue — and the public deserves transparency on where that revenue is directed.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new passport fees effective from 1 July 2026?
From 1 July 2026, a fresh or renewal 36-page adult passport costs ₹2,500 (up from ₹1,500), and a 60-page adult passport costs ₹3,500 (up from ₹2,000). Tatkaal and replacement fees have also been revised upward across all categories.
How much does a Tatkaal passport cost under the new fee structure?
A 36-page Tatkaal adult passport now costs ₹5,000 (previously ₹3,500), and a 60-page Tatkaal passport costs ₹6,000 (previously ₹4,000). The highest Tatkaal replacement fee — for a 60-page passport — is now ₹8,500.
Have passport fees for children also increased?
Yes. A fresh or reissue 36-page passport for minors under 18 now costs ₹1,750 in the normal category (up from ₹1,000) and ₹4,250 under Tatkaal (up from ₹3,000). However, children below 8 years still receive a 10% discount on fresh applications.
Do the new fees apply to Indians applying for passports abroad?
Yes, a separate overseas fee schedule applies at Indian missions and consulates. A fresh 36-page passport abroad now costs $125 under the normal category and $250 under Tatkaal.
Are there any exemptions or discounts under the revised fee structure?
A 10% discount on fresh passport applications continues for children below 8 years of age and senior citizens above 60 years. This discount does not apply to reissue or renewal applications.
