Passport Fee Hike From July 1: Fresh, Renewal and Tatkal Passport Charges Increased; Check New Rates

Getting a passport in India is set to become significantly more expensive from July 1, 2026. The Central Government has revised passport application charges across multiple categories, increasing fees for fresh passports, renewals (reissue) and Tatkal services. The revised rates, notified by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), will apply from July 1 under the amended Passports Rules, 2026.

MEA Revises Passport Charges; New Fee Structure Comes Into Effect From July 1

The latest revision means individuals, students, professionals and families planning overseas travel, higher education or work abroad will now have to spend considerably more on obtaining or renewing a passport.

Passport Fee Hike From July 1: What Has Changed?

The Ministry of External Affairs has amended the Passports Rules, 1980, through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. Under the revised fee structure, the cost of both fresh passport applications and passport reissues has been increased across ordinary and Tatkal categories.

For an ordinary 36-page passport, which is the most commonly chosen passport booklet, the application fee has been raised from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500. The same revised charge will also apply to passport renewals and reissues.

Applicants opting for the faster Tatkal service will see an even steeper increase. The fee for a 36-page Tatkal passport has gone up from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000.

Those applying for a 60-page passport, generally preferred by frequent international travellers, will also pay substantially more. The fee for an ordinary 60-page passport has been revised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500, while the Tatkal application fee has increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000.

New Passport Fees Effective From July 1, 2026

• 36-page Ordinary Passport (Fresh/Reissue): Fee increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500.
• 36-page Tatkal Passport (Fresh/Reissue): Fee revised from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000.
• 60-page Ordinary Passport (Fresh/Reissue): Charges increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500.
• 60-page Tatkal Passport (Fresh/Reissue): Fee hiked from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000.

The revised rates are expected to have a noticeable impact on household travel budgets.

For instance, a family of four applying for ordinary 36-page passports will now spend Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 6,000. Families requiring urgent Tatkal passports will see the total application cost increase from Rs 14,000 to Rs 20,000.

Since passport expenses are often accompanied by visa fees, travel insurance, air tickets, foreign exchange and documentation charges, the latest revision further increases the overall cost of planning an overseas trip.

Which Passport Should You Choose: 36 Pages or 60 Pages?

The standard 36-page passport is suitable for most applicants, including first-time travellers, tourists, students and those who travel abroad occasionally. Even after the fee revision, it remains the more economical choice for most Indians.

The 60-page passport is designed for people who travel frequently and require additional pages for visas and immigration stamps. Business travellers, seafarers, aviation professionals and individuals with regular international assignments may find the larger booklet more practical despite the higher application cost.

Tatkal Passport Becomes Much More Expensive

With Tatkal fees now increasing sharply from July 1, applicants may consider opting for the normal application route whenever possible. The expedited service should ideally be reserved for urgent situations such as overseas employment, higher education, medical emergencies or unavoidable international travel.

New Rules Also Cover Minor Passport Applicants

The government has also revised Schedule IV under the Passports Rules, introducing updated categories for adult and minor applicants.

The amended schedule covers applicants aged 18 years and above, including minors between 15 and 18 years who choose to apply under the adult category. Separate provisions continue to apply for applicants below 18 years of age.

Parents applying for children's passports should carefully verify the applicable category, documentation requirements and validity before submitting applications.

Apply for Passport Before July 1 to Avoid Higher Charges

The revised passport fees will come into effect from July 1, 2026.

Applicants planning to apply for a fresh passport or renew an existing one may consider completing the online application, payment and appointment process before the new rates become applicable.

Those whose passports are nearing expiry or whose passport booklets are running out of pages may also benefit from applying before the revised fee structure takes effect.